Casa Pia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Casa Pia is a Portuguese intitution founded by Mary I, known as "Pia" (Pious, in English), and organized by Police Intendant Pina Manique in 1780, following the social disarray of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. For almost three centuries, thousands of young boys and girls were raised by Casa Pia, including many public personalities, called casapianos. Casa Pia is Portugal's largest educational institution dedicated to helping youngsters in risk of social exclusion or without parental support.

The organisation is composed of ten schools and enrolls approximately 4700 students. In addition to standard schooling, the organisation also provides boarding for children in need. It strives to enable these youngsters to become healthy and successful members of society, by developing intellectual, manual, and physical traits, in an environment promoting spiritual, moral, and religious values. The institution is proud to have had amongst its students many outstanding Portuguese personalities, including politicians, journalists, and artists.

The first location was in Castle of São Jorge of Lisboa, an important center of production for the Portuguese Royal Navy and Army, and also for Vocational education: masters trained at Casa Pia, when returned to their home, instruct others in the same profession. More avanced alumns may advance to professional careers. Next level curse studies at London (for medicine), the Portuguese Royal Navy academy, Roma and the Portuguese Academy.

Two years afther the death of Pina Manrique the Casa Pia closed due to the occupation of Castle of São Jorge by the frech trops of Junot. The school reopened in 1812 at Convento do Desterro, but the government moved the institution to Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon at 1833. At 1942 create a network of homes for children. At this moment is formed by :

Colégio de Pina Manique
Colégio de D. Maria Pia
Colégio de D. Nuno Álvares Pereira
Colégio de Santa Clara
Colégio de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Colégio de Santa Catarina
Colégio de António Aurélio da Costa Ferreira
Escola Agrícola de Francisco Margiochi - polo do Arrife e polo da Paiã
Centro Educativo e de Apoio Social do Monte da Caparica

And also as complementary services :

Provedoria
Centro Cultural Casapiano
Colónia Balnear da Areia Branca (Lourinhã)
Centro de Educação Ambiental e Cultural de Colares
Equipamento de férias do Arrife
Equipamento de férias da Matela

[edit] Scandal

In recent years, the Casa Pia de Lisboa made world headlines because of a major child abuse scandal. Incidents reportedly began occurring starting in the 1970's, but were only revealed in 2002. Many prominent people were arrested, including Paulo Pedroso, (former Socialist minister, with charges later dropped), Portuguese TV host Carlos Cruz (television presenter) and former ambassador Jorge Ritto, among others.

As a result, the Lisbon trial has inundated public life with sordid child abuse stories, leading to a media circus.