Note does not inform about the parish to which the priest belongs
The Patriarchate of Lisbon announced today that it had removed a priest from his duties after learning of “an exchange of messages containing inappropriate language” and referred the case to the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors.
In a statement, the Patriarchate of Lisbon said it became aware of an exchange of messages containing “inappropriate language” in which a priest of his presbytery is involved, removing him preventively from all pastoral functions.
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D. Manuel Clemente, Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, referred the case for inquiry to the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, according to the document, giving “compliance with the canonical indications in force.”
The case will now be investigated by the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, which includes the former Attorney General of the Republic José Souto Moura, who chairs the National Coordination of Diocesan Commissions for the Protection of Minors, created by the Catholic Church.
The Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse against Children in the Catholic Church in Portugal, led by child psychiatrist Pedro Strecht, should also be informed of the case.
This commission revealed in late June that it had validated 338 testimonies since it began its work in January, with 17 cases having been sent to the Public Ministry.
