Report Estimates Over 200,000 Minors Sexually Abused by Spanish Catholic Clergy Since 1940

Spain's Catholic Church criticized for lack of cooperation and attempts to minimize issue; creation of state reparations fund recommended to compensate victims.

The Spanish Catholic Church has been accused of sexually abusing over 200,000 minors since 1940, according to a report from a government-commissioned independent commission.
The report indicates that actual figures may be even higher, potentially reaching over 400,000 victims when including abuse by lay members of the Church.
Criticism has been raised against the Catholic Church's response to the allegations, characterized by denial and attempts to minimize the issue.
The report recommends the creation of a state reparations fund to compensate the victims of the abuse.
The findings in the report have been described as a 'milestone' in Spain's democratic history by the country's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez.
Despite allegations and the unfolding scandal, the Spanish Catholic Church has been hesitant to conduct its own probe into the matter, instead opting to task a private law firm with an 'audit' into the abuse.