Lord in the ring? Catholicism and bullfighting in Portugal

‘Deep down it’s about grabbing life by the horns, and that can be a beautiful thing.’

Focados line up before a bullfight. Credit: Shutterstock.

The Church of Our Lady of the Castle commands an impressive view over the rural town of Coruche, which is about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, Portugal. Towards the end of the town you can clearly make out the impressive local bullring.

António Ribeiro Telles knows both local landmarks well. The Ribe…