The Spanish Government and the Catholic Church have reached an agreement to establish a new compensation mechanism for victims of sexual abuse committed within religious institutions, specifically addressing cases in which legal action is no longer possible due to statutes of limitation or the death of the perpetrators.

The framework will be based on a joint Church–State system, with direct involvement of victims and with the Catholic Church assuming full responsibility for compensation, whether financial or otherwise. Oversight and final decision-making will rest with Spain’s Ombudsman, who will play a key role in assessing and resolving claims.

The agreement was signed in Madrid by Félix Bolaños, Minister for the Presidency, Justice and Relations with Parliament, alongside Luis Argüello, President of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, and Jesús Díaz Sariego, President of the Spanish Conference of Religious Orders.

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Spain and the Catholic Church agree on a compensation system for abuse victims outside the courts

Under the new system, victims will be able to submit their applications through a dedicated administrative unit, which will manage the initial processing and coordinate communication among the institutions involved. Each case will then undergo an individual review by the Ombudsman’s Office, resulting in a proposal for recognition and compensation tailored to the victim’s circumstances and wishes.

Reparative measures may include financial compensation, symbolic recognition, restorative actions, or psychological and spiritual support, always following a victim-centred approach. If consensus is not reached, a mixed mediation committee—including victim associations—will intervene. Should disagreements persist, the Ombudsman will issue a final binding decision.

Victims will have one year to submit claims, with the option of extending this period for an additional year. The government also plans to introduce tax exemptions to ensure that compensation payments do not generate a financial burden for recipients.

This agreement represents a significant step toward acknowledging past harm and providing redress to victims who have long sought recognition, accountability, and a dignified response beyond the judicial system.