More than 100 priests suspected of child sexual abuse remain active in church roles in Portugal, according to the head of a commission investigating the issue.
The commission, which started its work in January 2022, said in its final report published on Monday that at least 4,815 children were sexually abused by members of the Roman Catholic Church in Portugal – mostly priests – over 70 years.
It added that the findings were the “tip of the iceberg”, describing the 4,815 cases as the “absolute minimum” number of victims.
“There is an approximate (number of accused priests) and it will clearly be more than 100,” child psychiatrist Pedro Strecht, who headed the commission, told SIC television.
The commission said it was preparing a list of accused priests still working to send to the Church and to the public prosecutors’ office.