Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Priest abused women during exorcism

A priest from the Archdiocese of Madrid is alleged to have abused several women during various exorcisms that he performed on them. 

During the prayers and ritual acts in church buildings in front of the exposed body of Christ, the priest allegedly made the women undress, the Spanish magazine "Vida Nueva" reported on Sunday, citing those affected by the abuse. 

The exorcist then touched the sexual organs of his victims, claiming "that this is where the demons are". 

The priest is said to have recorded some of his acts with a hidden video camera. The abuse took place over the past decades.

The Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal José Cobo Cano, has now taken action against the priest, who is popular in his archdiocese, according to "Vida Nueva": since July, the priest has been banned from preaching, hearing confessions, performing exorcisms or providing spiritual counselling to the faithful for a period of ten years. 

In addition to these temporary pastoral consequences, the Archdiocese of Madrid has attempted to initiate a canonical trial against the alleged perpetrator of abuse in the Vatican, with the accusation being "false mysticism". 

However, the competent Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome did not take up the exorcist's case.

Those affected by the abuse told "Vida Nueva" that they were appalled that the exorcist had not been dismissed from the clergy by the church. 

However, they praised the Madrid cardinal for his actions: "More has been achieved in one year than in the 30 years of silence before." 

Cobo, who has been archbishop of the Spanish capital since 2023, has worked to ensure that they receive psychological and spiritual help and has taken legal and canonical steps. 

Before his retirement, the perpetrator of abuse was a spiritual director at the seminary in Madrid and a theology professor at a church university. 

He is also the founder of an emergency shelter for the homeless in Madrid.