The 2004 Concordat established ‘the principle of co-operation’ between the Portuguese State and the Catholic Church
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) hosted a debate on the 20th anniversary of the Concordat that established ‘the principle of co-operation’ between the Portuguese State and the Catholic Church.
In a session to discuss experiences from the last two decades of relations between the Portuguese State and the Catholic Church, the President of UCP, Isabel Capeloa Gil, highlighted the importance of ‘a structuring document for the organisation of Portuguese society’ and stressed that it was in the Concordat signed on May 18, 2004 that Universidade Católica Portuguesa was ‘explicitly designated’.
The speakers at the conference ‘A Concordat for the 21st Century’ were unanimous in defining the current Concordat as ‘the Concordat of co-operation’.
José Alves, who represents the Catholic Church on the Joint Commission of the Concordat, emphasised that ‘the foundation of cooperation remains solid’.
‘The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Concordat has a twofold objective: to express exuberant joy at how much has already been achieved and a well-founded hope of achieving, in the short term, the little that is still missing,’ he said, looking ahead to the future of the Concordat signed by Cardinal Angelo Sodano and then Prime Minister Durão Barroso.
The co-chair of the Joint Commission, representing the Portuguese Republic, Ambassador Maria José Pires described the 2004 Concordat as ‘a modern document, with recognised technical value’ and which shows that ‘both parties have been able to adapt to the new demands and challenges that have arisen in the meantime’ and that this ongoing work of adaptation ‘remains on the agenda.’
Patriarch Emeritus Manuel Clemente spoke about Pope Francis' speech at the Belém Cultural Centre during World Youth Day 2023, considering that the Holy Father's words 'push the boundaries', in the same way that 'the Concordat of cooperation goes beyond politics'.
Miguel Assis Raimundo, a professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, considered that ‘the limits of co-operation between the State and the Catholic Church will continue to be debated’, particularly with regard to the issue of heritage.
Maria da Glória Garcia, the former President of UCP, looked at the legal status of the UCP and, using an analogy with maths, described the evolution of the UCP's relationship and position. She ended by noting that ‘20 years after it was signed, the 2004 Concordat gives the UCP the strength and support to debate publicly with higher education establishments’.
Monsignor Saturino Gomes, a member of the Joint Concordat Commission, revisited the articles of the 2004 Concordat text and summarised the work and intervention of the joint commission over the years, which has involved various people and entities at every turn.
In the closing session, the Patriarch of Lisbon, Bishop Rui Valério, revisited the Sermon on the Mount, emphasising that ‘it has been in the strength of mutual recognition and harmonious cooperation that much of the Portuguese soul and ecclesial charism has been incarnated in the dynamism of history and in the lives of so many people and even peoples.’
At the end of the debate, the Director of the Higher Institute of Canon Law, Fr João Vergamota, also presented the exhibition on the Concordat on display in the João Paulo II University Library.