The Catholic Church in Portugal has announced plans to compensate 57 victims of sexual abuse with a total of €1.61 million ($1.8 million), following a damning inquiry into decades of abuse.

The decision comes three years after a report by the Independent Commission for the Study of Child Sexual Abuse revealed that at least 4,815 minors had suffered abuse within the Church since 1950.

According to a joint statement by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference and the Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal, 95 compensation claims were received, out of which 57 were approved, while 28 were rejected.

The compensation amounts range between €9,000 and €45,000 for victims, including children and vulnerable adults. The Church acknowledged that financial compensation cannot undo the harm but described it as a step toward recognising the victims’ suffering and dignity.

“We know that granting financial compensation does not erase what happened… With this gesture, the Church in Portugal wishes to acknowledge the suffering and dignity of every person who has been a victim,” the statement read.

The 2023 report, based on more than 500 testimonies, found that abuse cases were systematically concealed by Church authorities. Following the revelations, Portuguese bishops issued a public apology, and Pope Francis met with victims during his visit to Lisbon for World Youth Day in August 2023.