Igreja Luterana de PortugalLutheran Church of Portugal

Finally the Reformation in

Portugal!

Igreja Luterana de PortugalLutheran Church of Portugal

Brief History of Portugal and the Field • 1143 – Independence of Portugal• 1536 – Inquisition in Portugal• 1563 – The decisions of the Council of Trent are incorporated in the

Portuguese law – Lutherans persecuted• 1640 – Portugal is dedicated to Mary• 1820 – Liberal Revolution – End of Inquisition• 1917 – “Apparitions” of Fátima”• 1926 – 1974 – Salazar dictatorship - “Fátima” is recognized by the Catholic

Church• 1986 – Portugal in European Union• During the 90’s – Contacts with WELS• 1998 – Foundation of the LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PORTUGAL (LCP)• 2001 – Law of Religious Freedom• 2004 – LCP in fellowship with WELS

Igreja Luterana de PortugalLutheran Church of Portugal

Formal Constitution: 1998

Origin: Portuguese origin, after a split from a Missouri Synod Brasilian Mission in Portugal

2 national Portuguese pastors

Congregations in PortugalPorto and Lisbon

WELS contacts: Larry Schlomer; Richard Starr e Harold Hessmann, John Buchholz; John Vogt (1993-2004)

Lisbon Congregation

• Rev. António Canoa

Lisbon CongregationWorship every Saturday afternoon

Porto CongregationWorship every Sunday afternoon

• Rev. Artur Villares

Porto Chapel

Recent events• 2012 – CELC Europe meeting

Professor Kenneth Cherney visits PortugalLiaison with WELS

Trip to Wittenberg 2013

New members in Porto

New members and new …organ

And the son of the new organist

Two candidates for ministry Marcelo

Pedro

Ministry plan for Portugal - Finally the Reformation in Portugal!

• Pastoral Assistance to Porto and Lisbon, and around the country.• Preparation for the ministry of the current candidate; Now we have 2 potential

candidates: Pedro, through theological studies, and Marcelo, through colloquy.• Preparation of two new organists.• Martin Luther Institute is being organized to support the formation of our

candidates, but, at the same time, to cooperate in the formation of others Portuguese speaking people. Courses of theology and of Christian Iconography, which explain the Theology trough Christian Art, are being prepared.

• Systematic translation of books / publications in Portuguese / Multi-Language Publications, for any Portuguese missionary work in the world;

• Strengthening of evangelism in Portugal: radio, internet, etc. Two new web sites are being prepared.

• Active collaboration in Portuguese speaking mission initiatives. Portugal, Brasil, África.

• Possible approach of the possibility of a Lutheran mission in Spain!• Preparation of a new book about Luther – Jubilee 2017

Obrigado! Thank you! Gracias!

Lutheran Church of Portugal

Contacts: Rev. Artur Villaresemail: artur.villares@gmail.comigrejaluterana.pt@gmail.comhttp://www.igreja-luterana.comigreja-luterana.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/IgrejaLuteranaDePortugal

Phone: 00351 966 857 920