Cordobese priest accused of child abuse undergoes psychological evaluation in judicial case

The priest Alejandro Nicola, accused of alleged sexual abuse of children in a kindergarten in Villa Carlos Paz, appeared in Courts II this Monday for a psychological evaluation as part of the judicial process. The evaluation was ordered by prosecutor Jorgelina Gómez, who oversees the investigation of all complaints related to the case. The proceedings are currently under secret investigation.

While Nicola underwent the first of several scheduled psychological evaluations, relatives of the child complainants gathered outside the courthouse, carrying 13 children’s backpacks and posters demanding justice. The case has seen 13 formal complaints and six in-camera interviews with Gesell, indicating some level of progress, though the pace has been slow.

After the evaluation, Nicola was approached by journalists and declined to comment, stating, “I don’t want to say anything. The accusation is in the hands of my lawyers.” Relatives of the victims surrounded him, expressing their hopes for justice. “I hope that justice is done, that he is charged and that he goes to jail,” one mother said, reflecting the community’s concerns.

Seventeen months have passed since the first court submissions by the victims’ relatives, yet the case has seen limited advancement. Nicola, who is currently free on bail, was removed from his position in June by Archbishop Angel Rossi of Córdoba. However, he was recently seen leading a Mass in the Cathedral of Córdoba, an event that sparked outrage among some attendees.

Footage of Nicola’s presence in the cathedral was shared online, prompting criticism of the Church’s actions. A mother of one of the victims described the situation as “a mockery” for the families affected. The incident highlighted tensions between the Church’s internal processes and the demands for accountability from the community.

The provincial Archbishopric issued a statement in response to the controversy, attempting to clarify the situation and defend its actions. The statement, however, did not fully address the concerns raised by the victims’ families, leaving many feeling that the Church has not adequately acknowledged the gravity of the allegations.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)