Argentine Priest Accused of Abuse Hides in Lourdes Shrine Ahead of Pope’s Visit

Gabriel Ghilardini, an Argentine priest, has been at the center of allegations of sexual abuse against minors. In 2018, he was convicted of abusing a girl years earlier, with a judge citing the “prescription” of the statute of limitations. Following this conviction, Francisco, a figure associated with the case, endorsed the transfer of Ghilardini to France. Since 2023, he has been residing at the Lourdes Shrine, a prominent Catholic site in France. As Pope Francis is set to visit the shrine, victims have expressed concerns that Ghilardini has been “returned” to Santiago del Estero, Argentina, where he previously served.

The case of Gabriel Ghilardini highlights a broader pattern of cover-up and impunity within the Vatican and the Argentine Catholic Church. For over three decades, Ghilardini is alleged to have committed abuses against children and adolescents, with no effective intervention from church authorities or judicial systems. Victims and advocates emphasize the systemic failure to hold perpetrators accountable, underscoring the need for transparency and justice.

Eugenia Castagnaro, one of Ghilardini’s alleged victims, has spoken out against the impunity afforded by the Curia, as well as by judges and prosecutors. Her testimony reflects the ongoing struggle of survivors to seek justice in a system that has historically protected abusers. The case illustrates the complex interplay between institutional power and the vulnerability of children, raising critical questions about accountability and the protection of the marginalized.

Gabriel Maria Ghilardini was born in Caseros, a neighborhood in northern Buenos Aires, on November 8, 1960. He was raised in an ultra-Catholic family with eight siblings, several of whom entered religious life. His brothers, Paul and Daniel, are also priests, while two of his sisters, Andrea and Claudia, are nuns. The family’s deep religious commitment is evident in their founding of the C.A.de.N.A. Foundation, an NGO that works with children and adolescents from marginalized communities.

Ghilardini was ordained a priest on August 19, 1989, at the age of 29, and was incardinated in the Diocese of Añatuya, Santiago del Estero. His ordination and incardination marked his formal entry into the clergy, subjecting him to the authority of the diocese. Sources from Santiago indicate that Ghilardini served as a parish priest in Añatuya and Bandera, where he was known for his presence among children and adolescents.

The case of Gabriel Ghilardini underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice, particularly in protecting the vulnerable. As the Pope prepares to visit the Lourdes Shrine, the presence of abuse survivors serves as a reminder of the ongoing consequences of past failures. The story calls for a commitment to truth, fairness, and the protection of those who have been harmed.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)