(ZENIT News / Lisbon, 08.04.2023).- The Portuguese Episcopal Conference reported that on the evening of Wednesday, August 2nd, Pope Francis met with 13 individuals who were victims of sexual abuse as minors within the Catholic Church in Portugal. They were accompanied by some representatives of institutions responsible for the protection of minors in the Portuguese Church: Rute Agulhas, coordinator of the VITA Group; Paula Margarido, president of the National Team for the Coordination of Diocesan Commissions; Pedro Strecht, coordinator of the former Independent Commission.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of intense listening and lasted for over an hour, concluding after 8:15 p.m.
This meeting with the Pope represents the confirmation of the path of reconciliation that the Church in Portugal has been following in this area, placing the victims first, and collaborating in their healing and recovery so that they can look to the future with hope and renewed freedom.
