Portugal’s Catholic Church has announced it will pay a total of €1.6 million ($1.85 million) in compensation to 57 victims of sexual abuse by clergy, the Church confirmed on Thursday.

The move follows a 2023 investigation by a Church-funded commission, which found that at least 4,815 children and vulnerable adults in Portugal were sexually abused by Catholic clergy—mostly priests—over the past 70 years.

In a statement, the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP) said: “Financial compensation does not erase what happened or undo the consequences of abuse in the lives of those affected… We renew our apology for all the harm caused.”

During the submission period, 95 people requested compensation. Of these, 67 were deemed eligible, while the remainder were dismissed for failing to meet requirements or attend the commission.

The 57 approved claims will receive payments ranging from €9,000 to €45,000 per person. Nine additional claims are still under review to determine the compensation amount, the CEP said.

The announcement marks a step towards acknowledging the scale of abuse and providing reparations to victims, though Church officials emphasised that financial compensation cannot fully address the lasting impact of the abuses. (Arise News)