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All articles in category Portugal

World mission

July 2018
Articles > World Mission > Europe > Southern Europe > Portugal

Portugal

Portugal remained untouched by the Reformation. Roman Catholicism was the official State religion until the revolution of 1974. It remains the dominant religion today, with 97% of the population claiming to be Catholics. One of the big attractions in the country is the large basilica and shrine to ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ about fiftty miles north of Lisbon. At certain times of the year people from all over the country, and other parts of the world, go to Fatima for special adoration of the Virgin Mary who, it is claimed, appeared to three young children there in 1917, under the name of ‘Notre Dame du...

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Missionary Spotlight – Portugal – Main Article

Article

September 1997
Portugal

Missionary Spotlight – Portugal – Main Article

Economy Since joining the European Union in 1988 there has been much development and in some areas a noted increase in living standards, particularly in the cities. Outside of the major cities there is much poverty. The mountainous terrain and traditional (but outdated) farming methods provide a meagre living for those in the country areas. The main agricultural products are wine, olive oil and cork. The north in particular remains very poor and many people remain illiterate. It has been estimated that in the country as a whole, 11% of men and 18% of women are illiterate. The average national income has been calculated at...

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Missionary Spotlight – Portugal
By Celestino Torres de Oliveira

Article

September 1997
Portugal

Missionary Spotlight – Portugal

The influence of the Reformation, which had such an effect on other parts of Europe and the world, did not touch Portugal until much later. From 1580 to 1640 Portugal was ruled by Spain and the propogation of the Reformed faith was forbidden. Even after Portugal gained independence from Spain, the kings of Portugal, who were strongly Catholic, continued to support the Inquisition. Remarkable men In spite of the opposition, there were some remarkable people who did all they could to introduce the teachings of the Reformers into Portugal. The sisteen century writer and historian Damião Góis travelled widely in Europe between 1529 and 1545....

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Missionary Spotlight – Portugal – Features

Article

September 1997
Portugal

Missionary Spotlight – Portugal – Features

Features The country covers 92,000 sq. km. (including the overseas territories of Azores and Madeira). It has a population of approximately 10.5 million of whom about 1.1 million live in the capital, Lisbon. Other major cities are Coimbra, Porto, Amadora, Faro. Much of the country is mountainous, but the south has been developed as a tourist centre.

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