The Provincial Court of Murcia has sentenced a priest to nine years in prison, and another seven of probation, for sexual abuse of two minors aged 13 and 16, the Superior Court of Justice (TSJ) reported this Thursday.
The priest, whose identity corresponds to the initials A.L.Z. and who has already entered prison according to sources, had been sentenced in May 2022 to another 7 years and 9 months of imprisonment for another crime against the sexual integrity of a third child.
Section 5 of the Provincial Court of Murcia (based in Cartagena) also condemns him to compensate minors with 8,200 euros.
Specifically, a 13-year-old boy who grabbed the penis when he was playing with a video console at home is considered the perpetrator of a crime of sexual abuse; and of another continuous crime of sexual abuse of a minor under 16 years of age, whom he touched the genitals on several occasions “to satisfy his sexual appetite” and taking advantage, in both cases, “of his priestly status and friendship with them and their family ”.
The defendant, who exercised the priesthood in San Pedro del Pinatar and Yecla for the Neocatechumenal community and who is provisionally suspended by the Church, is also prohibited from approaching less than 500 meters, and from communicating by any means with minors for 9 and 10 years, respectively.
The sentence declares it proven that the defendant, in the exercise of his priestly function, made friends with several families and gained the trust of them and other minors, whom he took in his vehicle to go fishing or to the beach, invited them to ice cream and talked with them frequently, lavishing themselves with hugs and kisses.
“Often and in a group, he would have sexually content conversations with them, in which he would ask them about the size of their penis, or how often they masturbated,” the sentence states.
The magistrates consider that the facts charged by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and recognized in part by the defendant “even though he denies their sexual significance”, are true based on jurisprudential criteria of credibility, credibility and persistence.
Finally, the court imposes special disqualification from any profession or trade, whether or not paid, that involves regular and direct contact with minors for a period of 10 years.
The sentence is not final, and against it it is possible to file an appeal before the Civil and Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of the Region of Murcia.
In an order notified on Tuesday, the Chamber agrees to the provisional detention of the defendant, requested by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the private prosecution, understanding that the “seriousness of the sentences imposed here”, which exceed 9 years in prison, add those imposed by this same court in a sentence of May 3, 2022, in which he was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months in prison for another crime of sexual abuse.
For the Provincial Court, “there is no doubt that the new sentences, the sum of which exceeds 16 years, have significantly increased the risk of flight, given the natural and human inclination that can be attributed to all prisoners who will try to avoid compliance with a prolonged sentence of deprivation of liberty through his escape and concealment”.
Against the provisional prison order, an appeal can be made, according to the sources.
After the sentence was made public, the Bishopric of Cartagena has issued a statement in which it expresses its “deepest respect” for the actions of justice, and recalls that the priest is suspended from office until the canonical criminal process opened against him is closed. he.
In its letter, the Bishopric asks that “these unfortunate and painful events do not cloud the work of so many priests in our diocese”, and affirms that “it remains close to the victims and their families, to whom it asks for forgiveness and continues to offer its help to through the Episcopal Delegation for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults”.
“The Church’s commitment is to eradicate any behavior that affects the dignity of the person, especially those who are minors and more vulnerable,” the statement concluded.
