Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente

Stored: Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente

His Eminence Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente
Bishop of Patriarchate of Lisbon (Emeritus)
Home diocese:	Patriarchate of Lisbon
Other diocese 1:	Diocese of Porto
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:	29 June 1979 by Cardinal António Ribeiro
Consecration:	22 January 2000 by Cardinal António Ribeiro
Rank:	Cardinal
Created cardinal:	14 February 2015 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born:	Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente 16 July 1948 Torres Vedras, Portugal
Died:
Nationality:	Portuguese
Education:	University of Lisbon, Catholic University of Portugal
Motto:	"In Lumine Tuo" (In Your Light)
Role:	Emeritus
Theology:	Moderate
Region:	Western Europe
Rite:	Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility:	Eligible

Cardinal Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente, GCC, born (1948-07-16) July 16, 1948, is a Portuguese prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Patriarch Emeritus of Lisbon since his resignation in 2023. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015, Clemente is known for his humility, historical scholarship, and commitment to evangelization, notably as a strong communicator who used YouTube for the Church’s 2008 Christmas message, a first for a Portuguese bishop. His motto, “In Lumine Tuo” (In Your Light), reflects his focus on guiding the faithful through dialogue and social inclusion, earning him the 2009 Pessoa Prize as an “ethical reference” for Portuguese society. At 76, Clemente is ineligible for the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, having exceeded the age limit of 80 as of April 21, 2025.

Ordained a priest in 1979, Clemente served as auxiliary bishop of Lisbon (1999–2007), Bishop of Porto (2007–2013), and Patriarch of Lisbon (2013–2023), leading the Portuguese Episcopal Conference from 2013 to 2020. His tenure included hosting World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, a milestone despite pandemic delays, and addressing clergy abuse through apologies and support for victims following a 2023 independent commission report. Appointed to Vatican congregations for the Clergy and Social Communications in 2015, he influenced global Church policy while promoting new evangelization, notably through the 2012 Synod and 2014 Synod on the Family. His historical works, including books on Portuguese Catholicism, underscore his intellectual legacy.

Biography

Birth and early life

Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente was born on July 16, 1948, in Torres Vedras, Portugal, to Francisco de Nascimento Clemente and Maria Sofia Correia Lopes Macário. Raised in a Catholic family, he attended local schools and expressed a desire to enter the seminary at age 13, though his mother delayed his entry until later. His childhood included participation in Carnival and early involvement with the Scout movement, which he joined in 1964, shaping his sense of community and service.

Growing up near Lisbon, Clemente developed an interest in history and faith, influenced by Portugal’s Catholic heritage and social changes post-World War II. His early aspiration to priesthood was nurtured through parish life and scouting activities in Torres Vedras.

Education

Clemente graduated from the University of Lisbon in 1974 with a degree in history, followed by a theology degree from the Catholic University of Portugal in 1979. He earned a doctorate in historical theology in 1992 from the same university, with a thesis titled “On the origins of contemporary apostolate in Portugal: The ‘Catholic Society’ (1843–1853).” Beginning in 1975, he taught Church history at the Catholic University, establishing himself as a scholar.

His education emphasized historical theology and pastoral ministry, equipping him for roles in seminary formation and Church leadership. Fluent in Portuguese and knowledgeable in Latin, Clemente’s academic work focused on Portugal’s Catholic social movements.

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on June 29, 1979, by Cardinal António Ribeiro for the Patriarchate of Lisbon, Clemente served as parochial vicar in Runa, Torres Vedras, until 1980. He was appointed canon of Lisbon Cathedral in 1989, vice-rector of the Major Seminary of Christ the King of the Groves (1989–1997), and rector (1997–1999). From 2000 to 2007, he directed the Center for the Study of Religious History at the Catholic University.

His priesthood focused on seminary formation, historical research, and social engagement, coordinating projects on Catholic organizations for the Foundation for Science and Technology (1993–1998). His early use of media, including YouTube, highlighted his innovative approach to evangelization.

Bishop

Appointed auxiliary bishop of Lisbon and titular bishop of Pinhel on November 6, 1999, by Pope John Paul II, Clemente was consecrated on January 22, 2000, by Cardinal António Ribeiro. He became Bishop of Porto on February 22, 2007, and Metropolitan Patriarch of Lisbon on May 18, 2013, enthroned on July 6, 2013. Elevated to cardinal on February 14, 2015, he was assigned the titular church of Sant’Antonio in Campo Marzio.

As patriarch, Clemente hosted World Youth Day 2023, addressed clergy abuse, and served as president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (2013–2020), resigning in 2023 at age 75. His Vatican roles included memberships in the Congregations for the Clergy and Social Communications.

Diocese	Role	Start Date	End Date	Notes
Patriarchate of Lisbon	Auxiliary Bishop	6 November 1999	22 February 2007	Titular Bishop of Pinhel
Diocese of Porto	Bishop	22 February 2007	18 May 2013	Focused on evangelization and dialogue
Patriarchate of Lisbon	Metropolitan Patriarch	18 May 2013	10 August 2023	Elevated to cardinal in 2015, led World Youth Day 2023

Significant events

• Ordained priest for the Patriarchate of Lisbon, 1979.
• Appointed canon of Lisbon Cathedral, 1989.
• Named vice-rector of Major Seminary of Christ the King, 1989.
• Earned doctorate in historical theology, 1992.
• Appointed auxiliary bishop of Lisbon, 1999.
• Named Bishop of Porto, 2007.
• Awarded Pessoa Prize, 2009.
• Appointed Patriarch of Lisbon, 2013.
• Elected president of Portuguese Episcopal Conference, 2013.
• Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2015.
• Issued Amoris Laetitia guidelines for Lisbon, 2018.
• Hosted World Youth Day in Lisbon, 2023.
• Resigned as Patriarch of Lisbon, 2023.

Books

Written about the bishop

• No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Clemente were identified.

Written by the bishop

• Clemente, Manuel (2008). Portugal and the Portuguese. Lisbon: Assyrian & Alvim. ISBN 978-972-37-1322-0. https://www.amazon.com/Portugal-Portuguese-Manuel-Clemente/dp/9723713225. 
• Clemente, Manuel (2007). Popes of the Twentieth Century. Lisbon: Paulus. ISBN 978-972-301-249-1. https://www.amazon.com/Popes-Twentieth-Century-Manuel-Clemente/dp/9723012499. 
• Clemente, Manuel (2010). A Church on Time: Brief History of the Catholic Church. Lisbon: Griffin. ISBN 978-989-622-201-7. https://www.amazon.com/Church-Time-History-Catholic/dp/9896222010. 
• Clemente, Manuel (2008). 1810–1910–2010: Dates and Challenges. Lisbon: Assyrian & Alvim. ISBN 978-972-37-1355-8. https://www.amazon.com/1810-1910-2010-Dates-Challenges-Clemente/dp/9723713551. 
• Clemente, Manuel (2010). Dialogue Time Debris: A Conversation about Portugal, the World and the Catholic Church. Lisbon: Moonstone. ISBN 978-989-23-0787-9. https://www.amazon.com/Dialogue-Time-Debris-Conversation-Portugal/dp/9892307879. 
• Clemente, Manuel (2012). Portuguese Society: Church of Liberalism and the Republic. Lisbon: Assyrian & Alvim. ISBN 978-972-37-1650-4. https://www.amazon.com/Portuguese-Society-Liberalism-Republic-Clemente/dp/972371650X. 
• Clemente, Manuel (2011). It's This Time: Experience Mission. Lisbon: Cornerstone. ISBN 978-989-672-098-8. https://www.amazon.com/Its-This-Time-Experience-Mission/dp/9896720983. 

External links

• Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente
• Biography of Cardinal Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente
• Vatican Biography of Cardinal Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente