On June 22, the Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue organized a public session entitled “Religious Freedom: Rights, Dialogue and Responsibility” at the António de Almeida Foundation in Porto. The initiative was part of the celebrations of the National Day of Religious Freedom and Interreligious Dialogue and was supported by EAPN Portugal/European Anti-Poverty Network, the Porto Commercial Association, and the Catholic University of Portugal.

The opening session brought together a number of figures from civil society, academia, and religious communities, including Fr. Adelino Ascenso of the National Commission for Interreligious Dialogue; Álvaro Santos, President of CCDR-Norte; Nuno Botelho, President of the Porto Commercial Association; Catarina Araújo, Vice-President of Porto City Council; Isabel Braga da Cruz, Vice-Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal; and Bishop Joaquim Dionísio, Auxiliary Bishop of Porto.

In his opening remarks, Monsignor Agostinho Jardim Moreira, President of the Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue in Porto, recalled the 25th anniversary of Portugal’s Religious Freedom Law and emphasized the significance of commemorating the occasion in Porto, a city where dialogue among different religious traditions has steadily strengthened over recent years. He also highlighted that interaction and coexistence among faith communities reveal many shared values and principles.

The program included a roundtable discussion moderated by Sofia Salgado of the Diocesan Commission for Interreligious Dialogue. Participants included Augusto Santos Silva, former President of the Portuguese Parliament; Catarina Martins Bettencourt, Director of Aid to the Church in Need Portugal; Isaac Assor, representative of the Jewish Community; and Khalid Sacoor Jamal, representative of the Muslim Community.

During the session, Catarina Martins Bettencourt presented the report Religious Freedom in the World, which served as a starting point for reflection on the challenges currently faced by religious communities, both in Portugal and in different regions across the globe.

In his intervention, Isaac Assor highlighted the integration of the Jewish community into Portuguese society, while expressing concern over recent incidents of antisemitism and vandalism targeting religious sites, including graffiti attacks on synagogues in Porto and Lisbon. He stressed that “promoting education, defending religious freedom, combating hate speech, and strengthening dialogue among communities are essential measures for peaceful coexistence in Portugal.”

For his part, Khalid Sacoor Jamal underscored the importance of mutual understanding among religions as a means of overcoming prejudice and stereotypes. “Getting to know the other is something that must be learned and practiced; it is not innate,” he said, calling for deeper relationships between religious communities.

The event concluded with remarks by Bishop Manuel Linda, who emphasized the atmosphere of respect and cooperation that exists between the Diocese of Porto and the various religious communities present in the region. He particularly highlighted the cooperation protocol established with the Jewish Community of Porto, describing it as an example of dialogue grounded in mutual respect and appreciation for religious diversity.