The Archdiocese of Toledo has issued a statement confirming the full innocence of the priest Rvdo. D. Francisco José Delgado Martín and declaring his good name and reputation restored. The sentence, issued on July 28, 2025, by a collegiate court and declared final on September 18, concludes that all accusations were unfounded and without evidentiary value. This closes a canonical process that, for more than a year, unjustly called into question the figure of a priest who has always maintained his obedience, respect, and full communion with the Church.
The Archdiocese itself now regrets that the statement issued in February 2024 may have generated erroneous interpretations that damaged the priest’s good name, and clarifies that the disciplinary measures imposed at that time, such as the temporary prohibition on using social media, were in no way a condemnation. It also recognizes Delgado’s exemplary attitude, who complied with the canonical provisions with fidelity and serenity.
However, the case leaves behind an unsettling echo. The complaints, driven from circles with a whiff of the Roman sewer, appear to be part of a confusing and opaque maneuver that led an innocent priest to be pointed out without evidence. The judicial outcome highlights the existence of an unjust persecution, which many interpret as an interested operation where interests and pressures converge against the public impact that the priest had been having in his apostolate with hundreds of thousands of followers. In light of the final sentence, it is proven that there was no crime at all, and that it was an attempt to silence voices faithful to the truth and the tradition of the Church.
The public restoration of his good name is, therefore, a necessary reparation. Ecclesial justice has spoken clearly, and the Archdiocese of Toledo has fulfilled its moral duty to recognize the damage caused. Now it is time to return to D. Francisco José Delgado not only his reputation, but also the respect and pastoral space that should never have been taken from him.
We provide below the full statement from the Archdiocese of Toledo:
Statement from the Archdiocese of Toledo regarding the priest D. Francisco J. Delgado Martín
05/11/2025
Archdiocese of Toledo
1) In January 2024, the Rvdo. Mr. D. Francisco José Delgado Martín, diocesan priest of Toledo, was reported to the Holy See by Mr. Escardó Steck for an alleged crime of calumny and defamation against the right to a good reputation (c. 220 CIC), due to certain interventions on social media. Also for the alleged crime of obstructing the exercise of the ecclesiastical authority of the “Special Mission to the Sodalitium of Christian Life,” in relation to said interventions. An additional complaint was added for the alleged crime of provoking aversion or hatred toward the Apostolic See through the program La Sacristía de la Vendée, disseminated via the YouTube platform.
2) This Archdiocese of Toledo, after conducting the preliminary investigation in accordance with the law, opened the penal judicial process on September 6, 2024, against the Rvdo. Mr. D. Francisco José Delgado Martín, following the procedural norms provided by the Church’s Law.
3) On July 28, 2025, the collegiate court appointed to hear this penal process issued its sentence and, after examining the accusations made against the accused, determined that the charges were unfounded and lacking evidentiary value. In its dispositive part, the sentence states that none of the crimes for which Rvdo. D. Francisco José Delgado was accused are proven, and consequently, he is declared innocent. After the appeal period had elapsed in accordance with the law, on September 18 the sentence was declared final.
4) We regret that the statement issued by the Archdiocese on February 28, 2024, may have generated erroneous interpretations that damaged the good name and reputation of D. Francisco José Delgado Martín. Likewise, we regret that the imposition of disciplinary measures such as the prohibition on using media or social networks has been interpreted as a condemnation imposed by the Archdiocese or the Holy See, which is categorically false.
5) We value the good attitude of D. Francisco José Delgado Martín who, since the aforementioned measures were imposed, has always shown obedience and scrupulous respect for the canonical process and his superiors, remaining in full ecclesial communion throughout the entire process.
6) Consequently: the sentence having been issued and being final, in order to ensure the truth of the facts and reaffirm our commitment to justice, to the affected party, and to the Christian community, we consider that the good name and reputation of Rvdo. D. Francisco José Delgado Martín as a presbyter of this particular Church of Toledo is restored.
In Toledo, on November 5, 2025