VILA VIÇOSA – The Bishop of the Armed Forces and Security Forces, Dom Sérgio Dinis, took part in the Immaculate Conception Day celebrations on 8 December, held in Vila Viçosa, a site of particular historical and religious significance, where Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed Queen of Portugal in 1646.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Alentrium.pt, Bishop Dinis underlined the strong historical and spiritual ties between the Portuguese Armed Forces, national identity, and the Marian devotion.
“This day is very important for the history of Portugal and also for the history of the Armed Forces. We cannot deny that Portugal’s history was built side by side with both our military and the Church,” he said.
Referring to the symbolic gesture of King John IV, who placed the royal crown at the feet of Our Lady, Bishop Dinis stressed the continued relevance of that act in today’s context:
“Here in Vila Viçosa, where the King left his crown, it was Our Lady who became Queen of Portugal”, he recalled.
He also explained the personal and institutional reason behind his presence at the shrine:
“I also came to ask Our Lady for protection for all those who serve the country, guaranteeing our security and our sovereignty”.
The Bishop dedicated special attention to Portuguese military personnel deployed on international missions, especially those in conflict zones, such as the Central African Republic:
“Many of them today, perhaps, cannot take a day off or mark this holy day, but their hearts remain connected to Portugal”, he said.
Addressing the current international situation, Dom Sérgio expressed concern over growing global instability and cited the words of Pope Francis, stating:
“As Pope Francis said, we are witnessing a third world war fought piecemeal.”
This expression, used by the Pope since 2014, refers to the multiple, simultaneous regional conflicts occurring around the world which, although fragmented, collectively resemble a global war in scale and impact.
In light of this, the Bishop reaffirmed the peacekeeping mission of the Armed Forces:
“Our training and equipment are not intended to wage war, but to serve as a deterrent and to help pave the way towards peace,” he stated.
The celebration brought together hundreds of worshippers, as well as civil and military authorities, reaffirming the national and spiritual importance of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness and Queen of Portugal.
