In a note published on its website, the Patriarchate recalls that in July 2022 it announced “the preventive suspension” of the former parish priest of Alto Lumiar, who provided support at Colégio São Tomás da Quinta das Conchas.
The priest “showed remorse and sought to make amends” after reporting the exchange of messages himself to ecclesiastical authorities.
“At that time, we followed the appropriate protocols”, says today’s note. “We referred the case to the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors, which in turn referred it to the civil authorities and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”
The Patriarchate of Lisbon emphasises that “both investigations, civil and canonical, conducted independently, concluded that the priest acted lawfully and decided to close the case on September 19, 2022 (civil) and November 14, 2022 (canonical)”.
“The messages did not break the law, but they were inappropriate,” the note continues, regretting “the discomfort they caused the students and their families.”
According to the Patriarchate of Lisbon, the parish priest “welcomed with complete openness the psychological, spiritual and pastoral support offered to him” over the last three years.
The entity reiterates “its commitment to providing safe environments for human development.”
The case occurred in July 2022 after someone discovered messages exchanged in a WhatsApp group between the priest and several pupils at Colégio de São Tomás in Lisbon.