The Judicial Police of Oporto is investigating a complaint that points to the possible holding of sexual encounters between men in parish houses and other spaces in northern Portugal, with the alleged participation of priests from the dioceses of Oporto and Braga.
The information was published by the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, which claims to have had access to the complaint filed with the judicial authorities and to testimonies from one of the participants in these encounters.
According to the complainant, the meetings were organized through gay contact apps like Grindr and subsequently coordinated via WhatsApp groups, where passwords and locations were shared to access the parties.
The complaint mentions priests and parish houses
According to the account published by the Portuguese media outlet, some of these encounters would have taken place in parish houses, as well as motels and other private spaces.
The complainant assured that the meetings involved men from very diverse profiles, including several priests. He also stated that alcoholic beverages, drugs, and stimulants were consumed during the parties.
The complaint would include names, phone numbers, and other data of several priests belonging mainly to the diocese of Oporto.
According to Correio da Manhã, the informant has also expressed his willingness to hand over messages, photographs, and videos to the Judicial Police if formally requested by the authorities.
The priests deny the accusations
The Portuguese newspaper claims to have contacted several of the priests mentioned in the complaint, including one of the alleged organizers of the encounters. All denied having participated in this type of activities.
One of them, according to the newspaper, even warned about possible legal actions to prevent the disclosure of his identity.
To date, no verified evidence has been publicly presented, nor are any specific judicial actions known against any of the priests implicated.
The diocese of Oporto assures that it had not received complaints
The diocese of Oporto stated that it had no prior knowledge of the reported events and assured that it had not received any formal complaint related to the case.
In a statement issued during the day, the diocese noted that it was informed of the situation through the media and announced that it will collaborate to clarify the facts and apply the norms of canon law” in case improper conduct is confirmed.
A new focus of tension for the Portuguese Church
The case has caused a strong media impact in Portugal due to the seriousness of the accusations and the possible misuse of ecclesiastical spaces for activities incompatible with priestly life.
For the moment, the complaints are in a preliminary phase, and no opening of canonical processes or formal judicial charges against the mentioned priests is recorded.