, 13 Jul. 23 (ACI Press).-
The Bishopric of Mallorca has sentenced Fr. Julià Cifre Vandrell to 3 years without celebrating Mass «in any place other than at his home» and to lead «a secluded life of retirement, prayer and penance.»
In the same way, the priest «must write a letter to the victim apologizing for all the pain he has caused» and refrain for life «from coming into contact with the victim or her relatives.»
The sanctioning decree was taken «once the criminal administrative canonical procedure against the priest was completed,» according to a statement from the Bishopric.
In it, he also underlines «the extraordinary seriousness of the behavior that he has acknowledged having maintained for years.»
The victim, who was abused in her childhood by her father, suffers from a mental disorder and has a recognized disability of 68%. In 2021, she reported to the Bishopric that she had suffered abuse by three priests over 36 years.
Two of them belong to the Society of Jesus. The third is the diocesan Fr. Cifre.
Last week, the Jesuits reported that mobility restriction measures were imposed on the religious since 2021. In one of the cases, these provisions were final through a criminal precept. In the other, they are awaiting the decision that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith can make.
On the other hand, the Bishopric of Mallorca expresses «its request for forgiveness from the victim and her will to continue supporting and accompanying her in her therapeutic, spiritual and economic process.»
In addition, the diocese emphasizes its «round condemnation of any type of abuse and violence», its «firm intention to always seek the truth» and to cooperate with secular judicial authorities.
