Portugal’s Catholic Church Apology and Victim Support Plan
An independent commission documented a substantial number of sexual abuse testimonies involving institutions associated with the Portuguese Catholic Church. The analysis found at least 4,815 accounts, with confirmation that many incidents occurred within church settings between the 1960s and 1990s.
The Church expressed a formal apology to all victims and indicated that the official apology would be made public in the nextApril, during Fatima’s provincial plenary session. The Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP) issued the message, reaffirming the need for accountability and healing.
The CEP also offered support to the faithful and clergy affected by the investigation. Reports indicate that the statement conveyed sympathy and courage, hoping the process would catalyze renewal within the Church.
The communication stressed a zero tolerance stance for all abusers and for anyone who conceals abuse within church structures. It acknowledged that the wounds of the victims cannot be easily repaired.
José Ornelas, head of the CEP and bishop of Leiria Fatima, announced the creation of a dedicated group to assist victims. This team would be integrated into the National Coordinating Team of the Diocesan Commissions for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
The plan envisions a group composed of individuals outside the church hierarchy who would serve as a direct contact point with the commission. The aim is to establish trust and maintain communication with the victims.
Psychological and spiritual follow-up is proposed for victims who wish to receive it. The bishop noted that while there may not be proactive measures to uncover new cases within institutions, dioceses would oversee the psychological follow-up for victims who request it.
Lists of more than 100 alleged abusers were handed to the respective dioceses. When pressed about the possibility of removing names from the Church roster, Ornelas explained that bishops must adhere to civil and canonical norms. He cautioned against dismissing someone from ministry without substantial proof, acknowledging the seriousness of such actions and the uncertainty around how many listed individuals remain active.
Background to the report shows that the commission estimated at least 4,815 victims in its February review, with 512 statements from victims confirmed out of 564 collected.
According to the findings, the majority of abusers were men, with priests comprising a large portion of those cases. The peak period for reported abuses spanned the 1960s through the 1990s, accounting for a significant share of the total cases documented up to the present day.
Geographically, the report indicates that the abuse occurred in settings such as seminaries, boarding schools, admissions facilities, confessionals, sacraments venues, and priest residences.
The commission also provided demographic details, noting that the average age of victims at the onset of harassment was about 11 years. A notable portion of victims experienced repeated abuse, and roughly a quarter of cases continued for more than one year.
Source: CEP report, compiled by an independent commission and presented to church authorities in Portugal. The document emphasizes accountability, victim care, and ongoing evaluation of safeguarding practices across parishes and affiliated institutions. [Source: CEP commission findings]