The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, this week became the first President of the Republic to visit St Paul’s cathedral in Lisbon.

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, (pictured) this week (Monday 19 December) became the first President of the Republic to visit St Paul’s cathedral in Lisbon. The cathedral is the seat of the Lusitanian Church – the Anglican Communion in Portugal.

The President joined in the celebration of evening prayer with Christmas carols. The service was led by Bishop Jorge Pina Cabral, the Lusitanian Bishop. In his speech, President de Sousa said that the characteristics of the Lusitanian Church in Portuguese society was its adaption to new times, its social and educational intervention among the most needy; and its openness to the ecumenical movement and iInter-religious dialogue. The President also underlined the importance of unity in diversity within humanistic values.

Bishop Jorge thanked the President for his visit; saying it was an expression of respect and recognition of the Lusitanian Church’s role in Portuguese society. He stressed the ecumenical and interreligious commitment that characterises the Lusitanian Church’s mission and the contribution that it has given to the Anglican Communion.

The President of the Portuguese Republic was offered the book of liturgy of the Lusitanian Church as an expression of ecclesial identity and doctrine of an Anglican Church.

The Lusitanian Church is an extra provincial diocese within the Anglican Communion and is the expression of Anglicanism in Portuguese society.