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Installation and early ministry of Bishop Vitorino Soares

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2026-09-20 09:17 UTC → 2026-09-24 01:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Installation and early ministry of Bishop Vitorino Soares ~~as Bishop of Algarve~~

Vitorino Soares officially began his ministry as the Bishop of Algarve on September 19, 2026, following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV. During the installation ceremony at the Faro Cathedral, which included the reading of the papal bull, the Diocese of Algarve presented Soares with a silver pectoral cross featuring the diocese’s graphic symbols. In his inaugural homily and subsequent interviews, Soares articulated a vision for an ‘open-door Church’ that is welcoming and inclusive. He emphasized that the Church must not remain silent regarding issues such as hunger, discrimination, persecution, and loneliness. Addressing the Algarve’s heterogeneous population and high levels of immigration, Soares identified these factors as both a pastoral challenge and a missionary opportunity. He expressed a commitment to personal contact and plans to visit all parishes to better understand the local social, economic, and health realities of the region. On September 22, 2026, Soares conducted his first official visit to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Loulé. During this visit, he expressed his intention to consecrate the entire Diocese of Algarve to the ‘Mãe Soberana’ (Sovereign Mother), highlighting the importance of spiritual connection and maternal protection for the diocese's members.

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