Pope Benedict XVI will visit Portugal May 11-14.His trip will include a visit to the shrine at Fatima, where Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary appeared in a mysterious fashion first to several children and then to a multitude of faithful nearly one hundred years ago.
Some 88 percent of the Portuguese population of 10,610.00 are Catholic.
Its 4,830 parishes are shepherded by 52 bishops and 3,797 priests.
Seminarians who are studying for the priesthood now number 444.
There are 900 Catholic schools, universities, and educational centers.
There are also 55 family counseling centers that also provide counseling to women seeking to avoid abortion, as well as more than 500 other centers of social work and rehabilitation.
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