In a significant development, the Portuguese Catholic Church has announced its unanimous decision to provide compensation to victims of sex abuse by clergy. This decision was reached during a four-day general assembly meeting at the Fatima shrine, where the country's Bishops Conference agreed to establish a fund with contributions from all Portuguese dioceses to facilitate the compensation process.
The Bishops' Conference expressed solidarity with the victims, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to take all necessary steps to offer reparations. They hope that this initiative, focused on welcoming, supporting, and preventing such incidents, will contribute positively to societal efforts.
According to church officials, 20 victims have already requested compensation. A report released in 2023 by the Independent Committee for the Study of Child Abuse in the Catholic Church revealed alarming statistics, suggesting that over 4,800 individuals may have been victims of child sex abuse within the Portuguese Catholic Church. More than 500 alleged victims have bravely shared their stories.
The Committee, established by Portuguese bishops, investigated cases dating back to 1950. However, in most instances, the statute of limitations has expired, posing a challenge to legal action.
Notably, the Portuguese church has shown a shift in its stance on compensation in recent years. Previously, it had indicated that payments would only be made if mandated by courts. Victims seeking compensation are required to submit their requests to the independent VITA Group for victims or the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults between June and December. An evaluation commission will then determine the amount of compensation to be awarded to each victim.
