The Portuguese judiciary launched 10 investigations into possible sexual assaults in the Church due to the testimonies of alleged victims collected by an independent commission, briefed the Public Ministry.
A Public Ministry spokesman told AFP that 17 statements delivered by this commission to the Public Ministry led to “10 investigations”, three of which were shelved due to “anticipated” or “lack of evidence”. . , without specifying the dates on which investigations will be opened.
The independent commission, which began its work in January, is tasked with investigating sexual assaults in the Portuguese Church. It has already collected 352 statements from alleged victims, according to a recent report released in early July.
Pedro Stretch, the child psychiatrist who chairs that commission, said Thursday night that, in fact, “the victims are more numerous” because testimonies often refer to a few victims.
Dom Manuel Clemente, the highest bishop of the Portuguese Church, declared last April that the Church is willing to “accept the mistakes of the past” and “beg forgiveness” from victims of sexual violence.
The Lisbon Patriarchate confirmed Wednesday that it is “fully available” to cooperate with authorities following media disclosures in a new case in which the Church will elect to retain a priest suspected of sexual assault.
The work of the Portuguese commission, which should be completed by the end of the year, will lead to a report that will later be sent to the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.
source: Noticias
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