A popular priest of the Archdiocese of Madrid has been accused by several adult women of touching their private parts during various exorcisms he performed on them.
According to Spanish media, he encouraged the women to undress during the prayers and rituals in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament in churches. Then, he touched the women's genitals claiming that "this is where the demons are".
Moreover: The priest has recorded some of his acts with a hidden video camera.
The Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal José Cobo Cano, punished the priest in July. He was aware of the case when he still was auxiliary bishop of Madrid.
The alleged acts took place over the past decades, but are statute-barred in terms of civil and canonical proceedings.
Thus, the canonical crime for which the priest was sanctioned was "false mysticism".
He is now forbidden to preach, hear confessions, perform exorcisms, or give spiritual advice to anyone.
The Archdiocese of Madrid said that this was "the most that could be done", because there were no civil or canonical proceedings as the women were adults.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome declined to take up the case.
ABC.es writes that the priest has admitted to the [filmed] facts from the beginning. However, he had added that he "did nothing wrong" because the exorcisms [of vaginas?] were necessary.
"The lack of condemnation cannot be confused with absolution," sources close to the case told Abc.es: "At no time is it denied that the facts occurred, in fact the accused himself has recognized them."
The priest is well known in the Archdiocese of Madrid. Since his ordination, in the 90's, he has been very involved in pastoral work with "the poor", as well as in spiritual direction and confession. He founded and directed the "Don de Maria" shelter for the homeless.
Previously, he was the spiritual director of the Seminary of Madrid and a professor at the Ecclesiastical University of San Damaso, which made him well known among the clergy of Madrid.
In April 2005, Cardinal Rouco appointed him to the parish of Almudena in Madrid, located in the Cathedral. It was easy to recognize his confessional by the lines of faithful waiting to confess to him. At that time, according to his own testimony, he spent 12 hours a day performing exorcisms. Source
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