According to the official letter disseminated by the Archdiocese of Toledo on September 23, 2025, signed by Mons. Francisco Cerro Chaves, the archdiocese is experiencing a moment of great pain following the judicial disposition of the priest Carlos Loriente, who was exposed in the recent scandal in Torremolinos.
The diocese faces a painful situation
In the missive, the archbishop openly acknowledges the gravity of the moment the diocese is going through. He points out that, following the judicial decision regarding Loriente, a public note has been issued expressing the archdiocese’s stance, which is now reiterated to the clergy. Cerro insists that this time must be faced with faith, truth, and mercy, leaving no room for discouragement or confusion.
Invitation to conversion and priestly unity
The Primate of Spain exhorts priests to take advantage of this suffering as an opportunity for personal and communal conversion. He recalls that the pastoral year’s motto, framed within the Diocesan Synod, is “Return to the first love,” emphasizing the need to renew holiness, priestly fervor, and dedication to the Lord.
In addition, the archbishop encourages presbyters to set aside what distances them from Christ and to seek mutual support. In particular, he celebrates that several priests are gathering to pray together, describing it as an appropriate response to the difficulty.
Support for the clergy and the faithful
Mons. Cerro Chaves expressly thanks the generous dedication of priests in their various pastoral tasks and asks them to sustain the faithful in prayer, sacrifice, and intercession. He reminds them that Christian life is nourished by the supernatural vision that impels us to always turn to the Lord, especially in times of trial.
Likewise, he indicates that the archdiocese will use the retreats by vicariates as spaces for spiritual reparation.
Prayer for Carlos Loriente and his family
The letter concludes by asking the entire diocesan presbytery to pray for the priest Carlos Loriente, so that he may experience the Lord’s accompaniment in these moments and feel His presence in truth and mercy. The archbishop also underscores the need to commend his family, equally affected by the situation.
You can download the letter here: 2025-9-23 carta sacerdotes TOLEDO