The Independent Commission for Recognition Services, which was set up by the Catholic Church in Germany, has so far approved more than 40 million euros in recognition benefits for victims of sexual abuse.

“A total of more than 40 million euros in recognition services have already been approved by the independent commission for recognition services,” said Margarete Reske, the head of the Independent Commission for Recognition Services.

In February 2010, Der Spiegel reported that more than 94 clerics and laymen had been suspected of sexual abuse in Germany since 1995, but only 30 had actually been prosecuted because of legal time constraints on pursuing cases. (ILKHA)