“I have already run out of time. The terms of office are renewed for a period of time and in principle are a maximum of six years, I have already done seven because I had to complete the term of my predecessor and now I am obviously not a candidate.”
This morning, speaking to journalists, at the end of the Day of Body of God ceremonies, which took place at the Lisbon Cathedral, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon confirmed that he is leaving the presidency Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), a position he has held since 2013.
“It is good to rejuvenate these organs of the episcopal conference.”
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D. Manuel Clemente took the opportunity, however, to make an appeal: “It is good to rejuvenate these organs of the episcopal conference. We are 20 diocesan bishops plus the bishop of the Armed Forces, we have several auxiliary bishops in office and even younger people so that the continue with vigor and creativity “.
The phrase apparently runs against the chance of being succeeded in the presidency of the CEP by Cardinal António Marto, current bishop of Leiria-Fátima. Marto has 73 achievements on May 5 – and at 75 he will have to resign. Clemente turned 72 in July.
The elections for the new CEP should have taken place in April but were postponed, due to the pandemic, to the next 15th, in Fátima.
D. Manuel Clemente also commented on the financial implications for the Church resulting from the closing of masses for two months.
“As far as I know and I know through parishes and institutions it is effectively a problem and a big problem because, as you can imagine, many of these institutions live by volunteering, but there are also professional people who need to guarantee a variety of services and, with no revenue at all it becomes more difficult, “he added.” he said.
“Appealing to the goodwill of the faithful, parishioners and others and exposing the problem, the answer is not lacking in terms of generosity either.”
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D. Manuel Clemente left, however, a note of optimism: “Priests who confide in me and share that, appealing to the good will of the faithful, parishioners and others, and exposing the problem, the answer is not lacking in terms of generosity either. . I think that things will also compose there. “
The cardinal also made a general assessment of the conduct of public authorities: “I believe that they have all responded generally well and very well, because this is an unforeseen situation. It reminds me of that verse by Sophia de Mello Breyner about the old navigators who sailed without the map We are making a map of a sea that we have never sailed. Therefore, and given the unprecedented situation, I can only praise what has happened in general from the first moment on the part of the authorities at all levels. “
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