Victims hope pope’s Portugal visit will shine spotlight on abuse
- Although at least 4,815 people were sexually abused by clergy – mostly priests – in Portugal over 70 years, no reparations are planned
- Pope Francis due in nation Wednesday, but while expected to meet some victims, over 100 suspect priests are said to still be active in church roles
Filipa Almeida was 17 when she was sexually abused by a priest. She stayed silent for years but eventually found the strength to speak out, and hopes a visit by Pope Francis to her native Portugal this week will remind the world of thousands of similar crimes.
“I lived with this secret for 22 years,” the 43-year-old said of her ordeal, which she said occurred during a religious training course. “It’s not easy to live with these experiences.”
She is one of at least 4,815 people who were sexually abused by clergy – mostly priests – in Portugal over 70 years, according to an investigation published in February.
The commission in charge said that was just the “tip of the iceberg” and that more than 100 priests suspected of child sexual abuse remained active in church roles.
Speaking ahead of the pope’s arrival, scheduled for Wednesday morning, Lisbon Patriarch Manuel Clemente said the Portuguese church’s commitment to solving the issue was “total”.
But Almeida said the visit was just highlighting the lack of progress.