Portugal Church

Portugal's Catholic Church said on Thursday it will financially compensate victims of child sexual abuse within the Church, setting the amounts to be paid on a case-by-case basis, an approach survivors' groups have criticised.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who came under fire in October for saying 400 cases of alleged sexual abuse by clergy members did not seem to be "particularly high", said the Church must be held accountable.

Portuguese bishops will meet on March 3 to consider implementing "more efficient and appropriate mechanisms" to prevent future abuses.

Catholic clergy in Portugal have abused nearly 5,000 children since 1950, an independent commission said on Monday after hearing hundreds of victims' accounts.

The village includes 44 homes, a hotel, a church, a school, a municipal swimming pool and even a barracks building that used to house the civil guard.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Sunday visited churches in Old Goa, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus where relics of St Francis Xavier are preserved.

Pope John Paul II, who the Vatican said will be made a saint, was an inspirational figure who helped topple communism but alienated many Catholics with his conservative views.

Portugal's Catholic Church said on Thursday it will financially compensate victims of child sexual abuse within the Church, setting the amounts to be paid on a case-by-case basis, an approach survivors' groups have criticised.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who came under fire in October for saying 400 cases of alleged sexual abuse by clergy members did not seem to be "particularly high", said the Church must be held accountable.

Portuguese bishops will meet on March 3 to consider implementing "more efficient and appropriate mechanisms" to prevent future abuses.

Catholic clergy in Portugal have abused nearly 5,000 children since 1950, an independent commission said on Monday after hearing hundreds of victims' accounts.

The village includes 44 homes, a hotel, a church, a school, a municipal swimming pool and even a barracks building that used to house the civil guard.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Sunday visited churches in Old Goa, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus where relics of St Francis Xavier are preserved.

Pope John Paul II, who the Vatican said will be made a saint, was an inspirational figure who helped topple communism but alienated many Catholics with his conservative views.