The Society of Jesus has temporarily taken a Jesuit priest out of his job after getting a complaint about him abusing a youngster in Alicante and Zaragoza in the first decade of this century, according to a statement from the religious organisation.
Last July, these activities came to light through their internal reporting channel. After some early checks, a reliable testimonial was acquired in September 2025.
The Company has sent the material to the Prosecutor’s Office so that they can figure out if the possible incidents are too old to be prosecuted based on when they might have happened.
He also told the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) about these events because the priest “currently held a position dependent on the Conference.” He was then taken out of that post and all of his duties while the problem was being looked into.
The priest is now living in a Jesuit community “without pastoral activity or involvement and subject to precautionary measures of limitation and supervision.” He was temporarily taken off his duties.
The Society of Jesus hopes that the Justice system will find the truth if the events are still going on, and it promises to “do everything that is required of it.”
The statement also says that in canon law, abuse crimes don’t have the same statute of limitations as they do in civil law, so the canonical process could go on even if the criminal process doesn’t.
They also say that they are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of things and are still gathering testimony that could “confirm, clarify, or add relevant information about this or other hypothetical cases.”
“We are willing to work with the courts and the church in any way that is needed.” “Our commitment is to listen to, welcome, and accompany those who may have been affected,” the Jesuits stress.
They further stress that all Jesuit centres are “unequivocal” in their commitment to making safe spaces, and that they have been working for years to stop, train, raise awareness, and find any kind of abuse or inappropriate behaviour.
They want everyone to know that anyone who wants to submit any information about past abuses can do so by sending an email to proteccion@jesuitas.es.
“We want to end this statement by saying how sad it makes us to think of the victims of abuse and how much we want to respond with justice and truth,” it says.
Author: Derek Appleton
Other Articles
Alicante to give talks in schools and institutes to curb addictions
Dénia now has 10 tourist apartments for every hotel place
No Comment! Be the first one.