Portugal’s Catholic Church approves compensation for 57 sexual abuse victims
The Facts
- Portugal’s Catholic Church approved compensation for 57 victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
- The total compensation amount is about 1.6 million euros, or roughly $1.85 million.
- Individual compensation awards range from 9,000 euros to 45,000 euros.
- A Church-funded commission reported in February 2023 that at least 4,815 children and vulnerable adults in Portugal had been sexually abused by Catholic clergy over the previous 70 years.
- The compensation process received 95 claims, with 78 considered eligible for review and 17 rejected at the outset.
- Nine claims remain in final analysis and one claim is pending a decision from the Holy See.
Context
What did the church say about the compensation?
The Portuguese Bishops’ Conference said financial compensation does not erase what happened or undo the consequences of abuse, and it renewed its apology for the harm caused Reuters,RTP - Rádio Televis….
How many people sought compensation?
The church said it received 95 compensation requests; 78 were deemed eligible for review, 17 were rejected immediately, and 57 have now been approved Notícias ao Minuto,TSF Rádio Notícias,Jornal Expresso.
Is the compensation process fully finished?
Not entirely. Several reports say 57 claims have been finalized, but nine are still under final review and one is awaiting a decision from the Holy See Notícias ao Minuto,SIC Notícias.
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