Portugal’s bishops, religious institutes conclude abuse compensation process

March 27, 2026

Portugal’s bishops and religious institutes announced the conclusion of their abuse compensation process.

“We recognize the gravity of the suffering experienced, so often carried in silence for years, we truly thank you for the testimony you have entrusted to us and we renew our request for forgiveness for all the harm caused,” the Portuguese Episcopal Conference and the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal said in a March 26 joint statement.

According to the statement, 95 requests for compensation were received, with payments of 1,609,650 euros ($1,854,639) made to 57 victims. Nine requests are in the final stage of the compensation process; one is awaiting a judgment of the Holy See. Other requests were rejected or deemed ineligible.

In 2023, an independent commission found 4,815 instances of alleged sexual abuse of minors in Catholic institutions since 1950. The number 4,815 was an extrapolation, and “that extrapolation was made on potential other victims mentioned by those victims who came forward,” the Associated Press reported at the time.

 

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Further information:

• Portugal: Bispos e Institutos Religiosos aprovam 1,6 milhões de euros em compensações para 57 vítimas (Agência ECCLESIA, 3/26/26)
• Portugal's Catholic Church to pay $1.85 million to 57 victims of sexual abuse (Reuters, 3/26/26)
• Portuguese commission: 4,815 possible victims of abuse in Catholic institutions since 1950 (CWN, 2/14/23)