Vita Group has already received 128 reports of sexual abuse

The Vita Group, created by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), chaired by Bishop D. José Ornelas, to accompany the situations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, has already received complaints from 128 victims, 71 of which with claims for compensation, the coordinator announced.

“So far, the Vita Group has received a total of 128 requests for help from victims of sexual violence in the context of the Church” and, of these, “71 are also relative to a possible financial compensation, and we still have some people who claim to be thinking” in this option, Ruth Agulhas said, in a statement to Lusa.

The number is disclosed on the day the formal deadline ends to submit the complaints.

Analysis of compensation claims will continue until July, so that “during August” the commission can “finish all these processes, write their reports and opinions”.

The conclusions will then be delivered to the church’s second working group, which will decide the amount to be assigned.

The coordinator also stressed that, although the deadline will end this Monday, this is not the limit.

« We appeal to that people, who are still eventually hesitant, contact us during the 31st or the following days, » said Ruth Agulhas, stressing that the definition of a reference date was only intended to evaluate the universe of compensation claims.

« People have their time for the process of making the decision to speak. It’s been silent for years and it’s not like that, suddenly, that you make the decision to speak, » he added to Lusa.