The archbishop of Évora, D. Francisco Senra Coelho, warned against the establishment of a "throwaway culture, of detachment and indifference" in contemporary society, during the opening session of the Cáritas Portuguesa training week, held in the Alentejo city on September 15, 2026. The Catholic leader spoke before approximately 180 participants, gathered until Friday to discuss the impact of institutional cooperation in supporting vulnerable populations.
The prelate emphasized that Cáritas must assume a "synodal sense" of action, rejecting the temptation for citizens to transfer all social responsibilities to the State. D. Francisco Senra Coelho praised the institution's "proximity" work, which becomes "a neighbor and knows the person in their concrete reality," and called for the transmission of these solidarity values to new generations.
The president of Cáritas Portuguesa, Rita Valadas, stressed that the institution builds its responses based on "the fragilities of each territory," ensuring that there is always a Cáritas near the greatest vulnerabilities in the country. The person in charge of the Archdiocesan Cáritas of Évora, Bernardino Melgão, asked participants to avoid the path of inaction, noting that "indifference also chooses" who is left behind.
This year's program, with the theme "A Synodal Network That Transforms," includes various practical workshops in the areas of artificial intelligence, compassionate communication, migrations, and social innovation. The councilor of the local municipality, Carmen Carvalheira, highlighted the urgency of continuous institutional coordination to ensure the effectiveness of aid. Cáritas Portuguesa functions as an organism overseen by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.
