Spain's Roman Catholic Church reached an agreement with the government to compensate victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The accord, signed recently, addresses concerns that Church leaders had not adequately tackled the issue.

Under the agreement, the government will manage compensation in coordination with the Church, handling cases where legal avenues are no longer available due to statutes of limitations or the death of the accused. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños stated that the agreement aims to "pay off an historic, moral debt that we had with victims of abuse within the Church." He added that "a democracy should not allow the existence of victims who have never been compensated and whose situation, on the contrary, had been covered up."

The government estimates that hundreds of thousands of Spaniards have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Church figures. This agreement follows similar redress schemes implemented in other nations where abuse within the Church has been uncovered. The deal is expected to expand the number of victims who can seek compensation.

The agreement comes after years of complaints and investigations into the handling of abuse allegations within the Catholic Church in Spain. Critics have argued that the Church has been slow to acknowledge the extent of the problem and to provide adequate support to victims. The new compensation scheme represents a significant step toward addressing these concerns.

The specific mechanisms for determining compensation amounts and eligibility are still being developed. Government officials and Church representatives are expected to meet in the coming weeks to finalize the details of the program. The implementation of the scheme will be closely monitored by victim advocacy groups and the public.