Sexual abuse victims ‘indignant’ at Church response set up first group

A feeling of “total and absolute indignation” at the reaction of the Portuguese Catholic Church to the sexual abuse of children by priests has prompted the creation of the first association of victims and survivors of abuse, one of the founders Cristina Amaral has told Lusa. “We want to give a voice to those who have no voice”, she explained. Following the “shameful and unbelievable statements from high Church leaders, our indignation is total and absolute. We are incredulous, speechless”, she added. The association’s website is at www.coracaosilenciado.pt (meaning ‘silenced heart’) with the email address being geral@coracaosilenciado.pt and the mobile phone number 926180463.