93-Year-Old Priest Fights Back Against False Accusers, the Media and the Archdiocese

“At ninety-three years of age, I don’t have enough time to clear my name of every vile falsehood that has been hurled against me in the public square. Yet I will always have time to defend the honour of the Church founded by Jesus Christ and her Sacraments, and I shall do so until the end of my life.”
Just weeks before marking the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 8, a Portuguese Priest finds himself once again defending his reputation against false sexual abuse allegations that were archived by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2023. After years of public accusations, restrictions on his ministry, relentless media vilification, and refusal to defend him by the Archdiocese of Braga, the priest has issued a public Right of Reply and announced legal action for defamation against the accusers. The case has gained renewed urgency as Grupo Vita (created by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference to respond to abuse allegations) prepares to meet Vatican officials …More