Portuguese Bishops call Portugal a "mission land" and appeal for new missionary impulse

The Portuguese Episcopal Conference declared Portugal a land of mission in a message published on October 6, 2026. The bishops called for Catholic communities to renew their missionary commitment to reach people in cities, villages, schools, universities, families, and workplaces.

The bishops released the message to mark the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, which is celebrated on October 18. They noted that while the Church in Portugal maintains its responsibility to support young churches and areas needing the first announcement of the Gospel, the geography of mission has changed. The bishops stated that mission no longer refers only to distant lands but must now reach those who have moved away from the faith and generations that have not received the Christian message.

According to the statement, Christian mission does not seek to conquer spaces or increase numbers, but arises from a life-transforming encounter that seeks to share what has been received. The bishops emphasized that this requires communities capable of stepping outside themselves to welcome, listen, dialogue, and announce the name of Jesus Christ with simplicity and conviction.