The Republic of Portugal recognises the legal status of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference within the terms stated and approved by the Holy See.

The Republic of Portugal recognises the legal status of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference within the terms stated and approved by the Holy See.

It was also made known that the government and Portuguese Episcopal Conference extended invitations to the pope.

Cardinal José de la Cruz Policarpo, patriarch of Lisbon, Portugal, was elected president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference on Tuesday May 3, 2011, for a triennium.

The Bishops’ Conference of Portugal shall exercise the right to include the Catholic Church in the system of collecting of tax revenues as provided for in Portuguese law.

Also present during the meeting were Cardinal Jose da Cruz Policarpo, patriarch of Lisbon, Archbishop Alfio Rapisarda, apostolic nuncio, and members of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.

For its part the Episcopal Conference called on Christian voters to respect the moral values it defends, notably its opposition to homosexual marriage, during the general elections.

The revelation was made by Cardinal Policarpo on the afternoon of April 8, at the Shrine of Fatima, during the opening remarks of the 181st Plenary Assembly of the Bishops Conference of Portugal (CEP).