Victims of sexual abuse against children and vulnerable adults in the context of the Portuguese Catholic Church will receive financial compensation from the church. The decision was made this Thursday at the 209th plenary session of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, which took place in the Sanctuary of Fatima.
The Assembly of Portuguese Bishops decided that requests for financial compensation must be submitted to the VITA group or to the diocesan commissions for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults between June and December this year.
“In the future, the assessment commission will determine the amount of compensation awarded,” the statement says.
In support of the victims, it was also “decided to create for this purpose a fund of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, which will count on the solidary contribution of all dioceses.”
“These decisions are part of the path chosen by the Church in Portugal. Taking into account the suffering of the victims, the Portuguese bishops reaffirm their full commitment to do everything for their redress and express the desire that this process of reception, monitoring and prevention be a contribution to the action of society as a whole on this topic,” the statement added.
At the meeting, the meeting reflected on social complexity in which Portuguese society lives, with gross inequality, successive crises and rising levels of poverty, worsening the already difficult living conditions of families.
About reality migrants who come to our country in search of a better life, and the difficulties of institutions in adequately responding to their reception and inclusion, the Assembly recognizes the need to go beyond emergency response. In this sense, the Church, which has institutions with extensive experience in the reception, protection, promotion and inclusion of migrants and refugees, expresses its readiness to cooperate with public authorities that are responsible for building a plan that contributes to the creation of fair conditions and a dignified life for the thousands of immigrants arriving in Portugal.
Also of note is the commemoration of 50 years of the revolution on April 25.. On the day that marks the return of democracy to Portugal, the assembly “approved a pastoral greeting that reflects the path taken by Portuguese society, of which the Church is a part, and recognizes all the positive things that have been achieved in democratic Portugal. the path of freedom, without forgetting social justice and responsibility in terms of human dignity and the common good, we are called to return to the April values aimed at democratizing the country, ending war and overall development. there is still a lot to be done to ensure that the foundations of democracy are not questioned.”
Author: João Saramago
Source: CM Jornal
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