Spain’s Catholic Church declared on Friday its intention to compensate victims of sexual abuse, even in instances where the alleged perpetrator has died before legal resolution. Francisco Garcia Magan, the secretary general of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, stated in a press conference that in situations lacking a court verdict, compensation would still be provided, whether the offender is deceased or subject to a civil statute of limitations. Emphasizing a case-by-case examination, Garcia Magan highlighted the moral commitment to reparations after revealing the unanimous approval of an “integral plan” by Spanish bishops to address victim compensation.
The Church, which had previously declined compensation in cases involving deceased abusers, is responding to a scandal exposed by a significant media investigation in 2021, revealing widespread abuse by priests in Spain. This development echoes previous sexual abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church in various countries, including the United States, Ireland, and France.
A survey incorporated into a report by Spain’s human rights ombudsman last month disclosed that 0.6% of 8,000 respondents claimed to have experienced abuse, with the figure rising to 1.1% when including lay individuals such as teachers at Catholic schools. The ombudsman’s report criticized the Church for inadequate cooperation with the investigation and attempting to “minimize the phenomenon.”
