March for Release of Priest Accused of Pederasty in Veracruz

A group of residents in Veracruz gathered in the city’s Historical Center on August 22, 2026, to demand the release of a Catholic priest, Mario “N,” who has been in pretrial detention since August 2025. The march, organized by friends and family of the cleric, took place in front of the Church of the Christ of the Good Journey. Participants claimed the accusations against Mario “N” are false, asserting that the judicial process has been flawed.

The priest, who was arrested in Veracruz in 2025, is accused of sexual abuse against a minor, with alleged incidents occurring between 2020 and 2024 while he served in Catholic temples in Tierra Blanca and Cuitláhuac. The Prosecutor’s Office reported that the abuse allegedly took place during this time. Mario “N” was initially detained in a medium-security prison in Amatlán de los Reyes and has since had his precautionary measure extended for an additional year.

Mario “N” fled to Veracruz after allegedly shunning, prompting the Prosecutor’s Office Specializing in Crimes against Women, Feminicide, Family and Trafficking in Persons to locate and arrest him. His sister, Raquel Fernández Montalvo, accused the ministerial authorities of irregularities and failures in the investigation process. She claimed the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Veracruz has committed an injustice against her brother.

The marchers, dressed in white and carrying banners, insisted that the allegations made by a young woman, at the time a minor, are unfounded. They called for the cleric’s release, emphasizing their belief in his innocence. The event highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding cases of sexual abuse within religious institutions and the challenges faced by those accused.

The case of Mario “N” is part of a broader context of sexual abuse allegations against clergy in Mexico. In 2025, six individuals were arrested for the alleged disappearance of a couple from Veracruz. These incidents underscore the complex and often controversial nature of cases involving religious leaders and the legal system’s response to such allegations. The situation reflects the need for transparency, accountability, and justice in addressing these serious matters.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)