Church has already defined financial compensation for victims of sexual abuse

The Portuguese bishops have already defined the amounts to be allocated to victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, announced this Tuesday, March 10, the Permanent Council of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), in statement issued after a meeting held in Fátima.

The amounts of financial compensation, however, were not revealed.

“In an extraordinary Plenary Assembly, held on February 27th, with the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio and the President and Vice-President of the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal (CIRP), the Bishops defined the amounts to be allocated to the requests analyzed, based on the opinions of the Compensation Setting Committee”, explained the Permanent Council, noting that “the victims who presented the request will soon receive a duly substantiated notification with the decision”.

“The process will continue to take place with due caution and in absolute respect for the victims’ privacy, guaranteeing confidentiality and data protection for everyone involved”, the note states.

“We know that no compensation erases the pain experienced, but this step expresses the commitment we have always made to recognize the suffering caused and which aims to contribute to the possible reparation of those who have suffered such harsh experiences, placing the victims at the center of our priority”, says the Permanent Council.

The bishops emphasize that, “after the deadline for submitting requests for financial compensation has passed, the Church will continue to welcome and accompany any victims that may arise”, ensuring “determination in ensuring that the protection of children and young people in the environments of the Catholic Church in Portugal is a permanent requirement” that will not be neglected.

The financial compensation process follows the report of the Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse against Children in the Catholic Church, created by CEP, presented in 2023.

At the same time, the bishops welcomed the new president of the Republic, António José Seguro, and expressed “gratitude” to the former head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.