Portugal’s Roman Catholic Church has announced it will compensate 57 individuals who suffered sexual abuse by clergy members, a move officials say acknowledges the harm done but cannot undo the trauma endured by survivors.
The Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP) confirmed that a total of about €1.6 million (roughly $1.85 million) will be distributed to the approved claimants, with individual payouts ranging from roughly €9,000 to €45,000 per person. The compensation follows a 2023 report by an independent commission that documented widespread abuse by Church clergy over several decades.
The commission’s investigation, funded by the Church itself, found that at least 4,815 children and vulnerable adults were sexually abused by Catholic clergy in Portugal since the mid‑20th century, mostly by priests. That report spanned roughly 70 years of documented cases and highlighted the long‑lasting impact on victims.
Out of 95 people who filed compensation claims, 67 met eligibility criteria, and 57 have so far had their claims approved and awarded compensation. An additional nine applications are still under assessment, with amounts yet to be finalized.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, the CEP emphasized that financial compensation does not erase the suffering experienced by the victims but represents an attempt to acknowledge and address the wrongs of the past. Church leaders expressed regret and reiterated their apology for the harm inflicted.
The compensation decision is part of broader efforts to confront allegations of historical clerical abuse and provide some measure of accountability. However, advocates and human rights groups say that monetary settlements alone cannot fully address the needs of survivors and have urged continued support and systemic reforms.