Lisbon, Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Elderly Portuguese preparing for the transition from the escudo to euro notes and coins may find more than spiritual support from religious organizations.
Young members of the Islamic Community of Lisbon are holding sessions for their older colleagues to explain the new currency. And Catholic churches in rural areas are handing out pamphlets on the euro and discussing the new currency in sermons.
``During Mass I tell people to look at the notes and coins and to remember them well,'' said Rev. Jose Real, the parish priest in Alijo, in the heart of the port-wine region. ``And most of all, don't be afraid.''
Portuguese religious leaders are concerned swindlers may trick older people once the euro goes into circulation Jan. 1 in Portugal and the 11 other countries that share the euro. There is also a broader concern that retailers will use the currency conversion to boost prices.
Banco Efisa SA Chairman Abdool Karim Vakil, who heads the Islamic group in Lisbon, has arranged for younger Muslims, many of whom have traveled and are comfortable with different currencies, to hold sessions for their elders.
``For young people, and those that are 30, 40 or 50 years old, the euro will only be one more currency conversion,'' Vakil said. ``For older people it may be more difficult.''
Knock on Doors
Real has fewer young people to provide help in Alijo, though he plans to enlist the help of the local Boy Scouts to go door-to- door to explain the euro. He estimates the average age of his Roman Catholic congregation at 50.
Real displays the new notes and coins during Mass and at the end gives out leaflets distributed by the diocese explaining the currency conversion.
To reduce the confusion in January, he's also telling people to pay as many bills as possible in December, while checks in escudos are still valid. He said he hasn't heard of any cases of fraud in Alijo or in the surrounding villages.
``What I find most difficult is dealing with the two things (currencies) at the same time,'' said Maria Delfina de Monteiro, co-owner of Supermercado Bom Dia, across the street from the church.
``It's especially older people that have more fear,'' she added, as she sat by the cash register. ``I think some don't even want to think about it.''
Emilia Leonardo, 76, a retired seamstress living in Lisbon's historic downtown, doesn't go to church frequently and hasn't had specific training about the euro.
``My sister and I are a bit concerned due to our age,'' she said. ``I'm sad that the escudo is going away.''
She spends cash most often in a minimarket near home, with a shopkeeper she trusts. She plans to do more shopping there because the shopkeeper will help her with the conversions.
``What confuses me is the (euro) cents,'' Leonardo said.
Leonardo still remembers reis, which were replaced by the escudo in 1911. Many people spoke in terms of reis for decades afterward.
``People got used to the escudo, so people will get used to the euro,'' she added.