Spanish society is reopening one of the most sensitive chapters in its modern history. The daily El País has published the results of a long-running investigation that puts the number of people who were sexually abused as minors in Catholic settings at over 3 000. The findings are based on an investigation launched back in 2018 and represent the most comprehensive picture yet of the extent of the problem in the country.

According to the newspaper, some 1 600 people, including priests and other members of church communities, are accused of suspected abuse. The findings have been shared with institutions including the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Holy See and the Spanish ombudsman Defensor del Pueblo, underscoring the seriousness of the case.

The newspaper's investigation follows a wider debate that has been taking place in Spain in recent years. A key moment was a 2023 survey by the Ombudsman's office which suggested that up to 1.13 % of the adult population - some 440,000 people - may have been exposed to childhood sexual abuse within a Catholic setting. This estimate far exceeds the actual documented cases and suggests that the true extent of the problem may be much wider.

In response to similar findings in the past, the Catholic Church in Spain has pledged to cooperate with investigators and to be more transparent. However, critics have long pointed to the slow pace of change and the lack of support for victims. Thus, the publication of the data by El País is itself seen as further pressure on institutions to take concrete action.

The topic of sexual abuse in the Church is not limited to Spain. Similar scandals have rocked the Catholic Church worldwide in recent decades, leading to widespread investigations and reforms. But the Spanish case shows that even countries that were relatively late to the problem are now facing the gradual revelation of long-hidden facts.

The published figures have not only a legal but also a social impact. They raise questions about trust in institutions, the protection of children, and the accountability of those who were supposed to protect the most vulnerable. For many victims, they also represent the possibility that their experiences will finally not go unnoticed.

gnews.cz - GH