Church/Portugal: Head of the Portuguese Catholic Work denounces violent movements in the service of a “political agenda”

Eugénia Quaresma says that intimidation reached ecclesiastical institutions

Lisbon, May 8, 2024 (Ecclesia) – The director of the Portuguese Catholic Work for Migrations (OCPM) today considered the situation in Portugal “worrying”, with reports of attacks and hate speech against foreigners.

Eugénia Quaresma spoke to the ECCLESIA Agency, regarding the episodes of violence that occurred in the early hours of May 3, in Porto, committed against immigrants, of Algerian and Moroccan nationalities.

The Public Ministry opened three investigations to investigate the attacks, which have already led to the arrest of one person.

The director of OCPM said that she sought information from the Diocesan Migration Secretariat of the Diocese of Porto, from which she received indications that the victims were “peaceful” immigrants, who make a living from their work.

For Eugénia Quaresma, “it is serious” that the invasion of one’s own home takes place in a rule of law, which must be safeguarded by the police forces and the justice system.

“There are movements that serve a political agenda”, says the person responsible, who calls for the fight against violent and intimidating attitudes, adding that they have already affected institutions linked to the Catholic Church.

An ecclesiastical institution was the target of abusive attitudes by those looking for testimonials from immigrants, to feed content on social networks with the aim of “stimulating xenophobia and rejection of immigrants”, says Eugénia Quaresma.

OCPM wants to involve immigrant associations in “proximity work” to understand how communities are experiencing this moment.

“Fear can only be combated by promoting meetings and this is essential for social cohesion”, says the interviewee.

Asked about the lack of response from the new Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration (AIMA), Eugénia Quaresma recognizes the “heavy legacy” received after the extinction of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), but emphasizes that this “cannot be justification for violence.”

The low efficiency of AIMA and Portuguese legislation in this matter may be being exploited by mafias that channel an artificial and high migratory flow to Portugal, favoring public alarm.

Eugénia Quaresma considers “diplomatic work with these countries of origin to be urgent” and says that there is agreement on the “need to work on the issue of inclusion and living conditions”.

The head of OCPM highlights the issue of housing and speaks of schools as an “interculturality laboratory”, which calls for support for teachers to know how to deal with such high cultural diversity.

This official considers it important to “clarify what is happening in our consulates” even admitting that “corruption must be fought”.

The OCPM met today with the Commission to Support Victims of Human Trafficking (CAVITP), of religious congregations in Portugal, aiming, among other objectives, to “find assertive and positive responses” to combat violence.

HM/OC