Argentine priest sentenced for child abuse during scout camp in Córdoba

The Santa Fe court sentenced a 57-year-old priest to three years of suspended prison after he admitted to abusing a minor during a scout camp held in the province of Córdoba in January 2025.

The abuse occurred twice, on January 6 and 8, while the priest was conducting religious services for a group of young people from the Santa Fe town of Ramona. Approximately 110 people, including children and adolescents, participated in the camp, which took place in the Río Ceballos area.

The ruling was issued in a summary trial, at a hearing held in the Rafaela courts. The presiding judge sentenced him for simple sexual abuse, aggravated by his status as a religious minister, and the use of violence. The accused will no longer be able to exercise the priesthood.

In addition to the perpetual ban, several other measures were imposed: the priest must establish residence in a congregation in the province of Córdoba, will be supervised by the Directorate of Post-Prison Assistance and Control, and will not be allowed to approach or make contact with the victim. He was also banned from entering the town of Ramona and required to attend masculinity workshops or psychological therapy.

Both the victim, currently of legal age, and his legal representative agreed to the judicial procedure and the sentence imposed, according to what was revealed after the sentencing.

Internal protocol in the diocese

Following the case, the corresponding diocese indicated that an internal protocol for such situations was immediately activated, establishing the complete suspension of the priest's pastoral duties.

The priest was also prohibited from residing or providing services in other communities, as well as from any contact with minors, victims, or witnesses of the incident. Church authorities stated that they had informed the victim's family of their right to file a legal complaint and expressed their full willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

At the same time, the institution's commitment to preventing abuse within the ecclesiastical sphere was reaffirmed, and it was assured that measures will continue to be implemented to protect children and adolescents.

Profile of the priest

The convicted man was born in Rafaela, where his immediate family resides. His religious training took place at the Córdoba seminary and he was ordained at the Church of Guadalupe. During his nearly three decades of pastoral activity, he served in various parishes in the province, including Tacural, Ceres, San Vicente, and Ramona, where he took over as pastor in April 2024.

The sentence marks the end of a judicial process that was resolved in less than seven months, and it rekindles the debate about sexual abuse in religious settings in Argentina. Although the sentence is conditional, the restrictions imposed and the permanent ban represent a symbolic sanction within the Argentine judicial system.