The parish priest of Santa Cruz resigns after being accused of alleged sexual abuse in Peru, denies the claims and calls it economic blackmail

A 43-year-old man has reported alleged sexual abuse by priest Eduardo Martín Clemens to the Archbishopric of Seville. The accusation, which dates back to 1998 when the complainant was 14 years old, claims the abuse occurred in Trujillo, Peru, where the priest served as a missionary and rector of the Major Seminary of San Marcelo. The priest has denied the allegations and asserts that he is a victim of economic blackmail, having provided the complainant with approximately 80,000 euros over the years.

The complainant alleges that the priest took him to a square in Chimbote and paid for his bus transfer to Trujillo, where the abuse allegedly took place. In recent years, the complainant claims he sought financial assistance from the priest, who allegedly offered money to keep the matter private. The complainant provided evidence of money orders and bank transfers as proof of these transactions.

Martín Clemens has admitted to transferring the funds but denies any wrongdoing, stating he has never committed aggression, violence, or harassment. He claims the financial support was given out of a sense of duty to assist a person in a helpless situation. The priest maintains that the complainant’s recent refusal to continue receiving funds prompted him to report the allegations to ecclesiastical authorities.

In a statement to local Sevillian press, the priest described the accusations as “painful and strange” and emphasized his denial of any wrongdoing. He has since resigned from his position as parish priest of Santa Cruz and diocesan delegate of missions, citing his age and health as the reasons for his departure. The resignation disassociates him from the accusations, which he attributes to the natural course of time and his personal circumstances.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about accountability within religious institutions and the complexities of addressing past misconduct. The priest’s denial and the complainant’s allegations highlight the challenges of reconciling truth with the consequences of past actions. The situation underscores the need for transparency and justice, ensuring that all parties are treated with dignity and fairness.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)