Half of the 62 victims died in their cars while trying to escape the flames. As Portugal recovers from the shock, churches in the region offer support.

“We realise that there is a need and a conviction in relation to the divine”, says António Calaim. Hundreds of young evangelicals will engage Catholics in conversations about the Bible.

Evangelical churchgoers are 0.4 per cent of the population and in some regions believers are almost “invisible”. The average size of an evangelical church is 49 people, according to a study produced by the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance.

More than 20 countries were represented at the European Evangelical Alliance General Assembly 2016. The “identity of Europe” and the Christian response to several challenges was discussed in Colares (Portugal).

The European Evangelical Alliance highlights the role of Greek evangelicals in their service to refugees. Portuguese political representatives and church leaders participated in a special event in Sintra (Portugal). 

Left-wing party Bloco de Esquerda targets Christians to celebrate new law allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.

After four years of severe cuts, Pedro Passos Coelho’s centre-right coalition receives 38% of votes, but loses majority. Leftists groups grow, but not enough to form a stable alternative.

The seminaries of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain gathered in Cordoba, and signed an institutional agreement of mutual cooperation.