The President of the Republic declared this Thursday, March 9, that he was disappointed with the response of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference to the report on sexual abuse of minors in the Portuguese Catholic Church and defended compensation for the victims.
In an interview with RTP and Público, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that «the position of the Episcopal Conference was disappointing», considering that it was late and «fell short in all the points that were important».
«As President of the Republic, the expectation was so simple: it was to be quick, assume responsibility, take preventive measures and accept compensation. And suddenly it's all the other way around, in general terms, or each to his side », he lamented.
The head of state suggested that the Portuguese Episcopal Conference now carry out "a complementary reflection to rediscover the path that was lost in these 20 days".
Last Friday, the president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, José Ornelas, refused compensation to victims of sexual abuse by the Portuguese Catholic Church, referring them to the individual perpetrators of the crimes.
On Sunday, the cardinal patriarch of Lisbon, Manuel Clemente, questioned about possible compensation, declared: «I even find that a little bit - excuse my expression - insulting for the victims, not least because the majority of the victims did not speak, none of them , in compensation'.
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