Lisbon Patriarch addresses housing rights and academic ethics

The Patriarch of Lisbon, Rui Valério, has addressed the housing crisis, describing access to housing as a “civilizational” issue and a fundamental right. He emphasized that solving the crisis requires cooperation among multiple partners rather than a single entity. To contribute to the solution, the Patriarchate of Lisbon and Caritas have signed a protocol with the Urban Rehabilitation and Revitalization Financial Instrument (IFFRU), which will allow the Church to rehabilitate its heritage for affordable rental housing.

In a separate address to university students, Rui Valério urged academics to balance scientific competence with ethical consciousness. He cautioned against extreme competitiveness and the separation of technical knowledge from moral values, specifically referencing the dangers of prioritizing efficiency over human dignity in the context of modern technological challenges like artificial intelligence.