The Roman Catholic Church in Portugal is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. The Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian organization.
There are an estimated nine million baptized Catholics in Portugal (84% of the population), in twenty dioceses, served by 2789 priests. However, only 19% of the national population attend mass and take the sacraments regularly (although a larger number wish to be baptized, married in the church, and receive last rites).
In 2010, the average age of priests was 62.[1]
Within Portugal, the hierarchy consists of archbishops and bishops. At the top of the hierarchy is the archbishop who is known as the Patriarch of Lisbon. The remainder of the dioceses of Portugal, each headed by a bishop, includes:
Portugal is also the location of one of the major Catholic shrines and Marian pilgrimage sites. In the city of Fátima, in the municipality of Ourém, it honors Our Lady of Fátima.
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