UP TO 45 THOUSAND EUROS PER PERSON: The Catholic Church in Portugal pays compensation to 57 victims of sexual abuse!

The Catholic Church in Portugal announced today that it will pay a total of 1.6 million euros in compensation to 57 victims of sexual abuse by clergy. A commission funded by the Church determined in February 2023 that Catholic clergy, mostly priests, sexually abused at least 4,815 children and vulnerable adults in Portugal over the past 70 years.

“Financial compensation does not erase what happened nor can it undo the consequences of abuse in the lives of those affected. We reiterate our apology for all the harm caused,” the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP) said in a statement.

The CEP stated that only 95 people submitted compensation claims during the designated period, of whom 67 met the conditions, while the others were rejected for not meeting the criteria or failing to appear before the commission, Reuters reports.

According to the CEP, 57 compensation claims have already been approved, with payments ranging from 9,000 to 45,000 euros per person.

Another nine claims are still in the final stage of review to determine the amount of compensation.