This Sunday, April 5, Cardinal Américo Aguiar asked the Catholic faithful to be “concerned or alarmed in the face of the suffering of the world”, giving as an example the war in the Middle East and official data on violations in Portugal.
“The images of the war that is going on in Ukraine, in the Gaza Strip, in the Middle East, in Africa (…) are the visible sign of sadness, desolation, darkness”said the bishop of Setúbal.
But, in the homily at the Easter vigil, the most important moment for Catholics, Américo Aguiar also highlighted “the images that come much closer to us, in the comfort of the peace in which we live”.
“On our roads, the GNR and PSP authorities share that Operation Easter has already exceeded a dozen deaths”, lamented the cardinal, appointed in 2023 by Pope Francis (2023-2025).
During the homily, in the Church of Santa Maria da Graça, Setúbal Cathedral, the bishop also mentioned “the lives of migrants, violence in schools and in so many homes”.
“The Annual Homeland Security Report tells us [RASI] that we had in 2025, 578 rapes, 11 per week. It must shock us”, added the only Portuguese cardinal who heads a diocese.
The RASI, released on March 31, reveals that the crime of rape increased by 6.4% last year, reaching “the highest value in the last decade” and was one of the violent and serious crimes that rose the most in 2025.
The document also states that the police registered 449 police reports for hate crimes, an increase of 6.7% compared to 2024, and that crimes in school environments rose 14.1%, to 8,133.
“If tomorrow we return to the festive routine, without any concern or shock in the face of the suffering of the world, something has escaped us this Easter”warned Américo Aguiar.
“That’s why I ask you, when you return to your homes, to remain restless with so many questions you heard. Because only from this restlessness will come the ability to go further”, added the Bishop of Setúbal.
“In the way we face life, in the way we are attentive to others, in the testimony we give at home, at work, on the street, with our neighbors, with those who ask us for alms, with those who suffer”, said the cardinal.
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