Over 200,000 children sexually abused by Spanish Catholic clergy since 1940

An independent commission in Spain estimated that over 200,000 minors have been sexually abused by Roman Catholic clergy since 1940, with over 0.6% of Spain’s adult population (about 39 million people) reporting being sexually abused by clergy against his childhood.

When abuse of members of the public is included, that figure rises to 1.13 percent, which corresponds to more than 400,000 people, according to Spain’s national ombudsman, Angel Gabilondo, who presented the findings.

These revelations have sent shockwaves through Spain, a traditionally Catholic country that is becoming increasingly secular. Unlike some other countries, accusations of office abuse in Spain are relatively recent, with survivors accusing the Church of stoning. Gabilondo pointed out that there has been a tendency to deny or cover up these abuses for many years.

The report strongly criticizes the Catholic Church’s response to child abuse cases involving clergy, calling it “inadequate”. It recommended the creation of a state fund to provide compensation to victims.

Before presenting the report to parliament, the Spanish bishops’ conference announced it would convene an emergency meeting to discuss the findings.

The Spanish parliament approved the creation of this independent commission in March 2022, headed by the country’s ombudsman. The Catholic Church initially refused to conduct its own investigation, but cooperated by providing documents on abuse cases gathered by dioceses.

He later commissioned a private law firm to conduct an “audit” of past and present sexual abuse cases, which should be completed by the end of the year.

However, media investigations such as that of El País have revealed a greater scope of abuse and the number of victims. The Church abuse crisis, which gained international attention in 2002 when the Boston Globe exposed widespread abuses and cover-ups, has had profound effects on the institution’s moral authority worldwide.

Similar revelations have been reported in France, Germany, Ireland and other countries.