The influence of religion in Portuguese politics

The absence of the Spanish prime Minister at a mass celebrated in July by the Pope in Valence was stigmatised by Portuguese politicians. Fernanda Cancio notes that religion continues to encroach upon the Portuguese public sphere. "That Zapatero was able to limit himself to observing the most elementary consequence of the separation of Church and State. ... Is a reality that escapes a large number of Portuguese politicians. They stubbornly insist on mixing up their personal beliefs with the State's role of public representation, ignoring in so doing the Constitution and laws [notably the most recent one that demands the exclusion of the religious from State protocol], by inviting, for example, priests to bless public equipment and conceding them a privileged place in official ceremonies."

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