Bishop Rui Valério calls for a Church that returns to the people

Bishop Rui Valério, the Patriarch of Lisbon, called on the Church to reach out to those who are distant and to listen to the wounds of society during the liturgical solemnity of the Dedication of the Lisbon Cathedral on October 26, 2026.

In a homily released online, the bishop stated that before asking how to bring people back to the Church, the Church must ask how it can return to the people. He said that instead of lamenting that many no longer listen to the Christian message, the Church should examine its availability to listen to people's concerns, wounds, and questions.

During the evening celebration, which included clergy, members of religious institutes, and laypeople from the communities of the Patriarchate, the bishop warned that a community can have careful liturgies, organized structures, and many activities, but will lose what is essential if it stops looking at those on the outside. He noted that the Church is not sent to announce its own importance, defend its interests, or simply ensure the continuity of its institutions.