The Catholic Church in Portugal on Thursday announced it will compensate 57 victims of sexual abuse with a total of 1.61 million euros, following a major inquiry that exposed decades of misconduct.
The decision comes three years after findings by the Independent Commission for the Study of Child Sexual Abuse, which concluded in February 2023 that at least 4,815 minors had suffered abuse linked to church institutions since 1950.
According to a joint statement by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference and the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal, the Church reviewed 95 compensation claims. However, it approved 57 cases while rejecting 28 applications after assessment.
Meanwhile, the compensation amounts vary significantly. Victims, including children and vulnerable adults, will receive between 9,000 and 45,000 euros, depending on individual circumstances and the severity of harm suffered.
The Church acknowledged that financial payments cannot undo the abuse or erase its lasting consequences. Nevertheless, it described the compensation as a concrete step toward recognising victims’ suffering and restoring their dignity.
Furthermore, the 2023 report revealed that church authorities systematically concealed abuse cases over decades. Investigators collected more than 500 testimonies, highlighting a pattern of institutional cover-ups within the hierarchy.
In response, Portuguese bishops formally apologised to victims and pledged reforms. In addition, Pope Francis met 13 survivors during his visit to Lisbon in August 2023 for World Youth Day 2023.
Overall, the compensation programme marks a significant step in addressing past abuses, although calls for accountability and further justice continue.
