Abstract
In the 1960s relations between the Salazar regime and the Catholic church became increasingly tense. The article examines the reasons for this process according to the documents from the National Archives of Torre do Tombo. The paper analyses a series of conflicts between the prelates and the Portuguese state in the years 1958–1968. Despite some common patterns, the disagreements were caused by different circumstances. Some incidents were determined by the general growth of dissatisfaction with the Salazar regime, others were caused by the colonial war, and others were associated with the decisions of the Second Vatican Council. The most dangerous for the regime seemed to be the contradictions caused by changes in the church itself that occurred in the middle of the decade, since in this case the problems acquired a systemic character.