The Diocese of Getafe has come forward to address the recent information about the Brothers of Merciful Love (HAM), clarifying their canonical, formative, and pastoral situation amid an investigation that mainly affects the female branch of this ecclesial reality.
According to what the diocese has stated in an official communiqué, the community settled in Serranillos del Valle consists of seven priests—five incardinated in Getafe and two temporarily linked with authorization from their respective bishops—, two deacons, and several seminarians who are preparing in a formation house canonically erected by the bishop.
A reality not yet established as a congregation
The diocese emphasizes that the Brothers of Merciful Love are not yet a formally erected religious community, but are in a discernment process, accompanied by the bishop, with a view to an eventual establishment with their own rule.
In this regard, and as the newspaper El Debate has also reported, this reality is currently configured as a public association of the faithful dependent on the Archdiocese of Madrid, although with presence and a formation house in Getafe territory. This model, which includes its own house for formation, is not unusual in initial processes of new communities, although in this case it is still not a fully established congregation.
The diocese also insists that the priestly candidates meet the requirements demanded by Canon Law to access the sacred orders.
Ongoing investigation and origin of the suspicions
The Getafe communiqué acknowledges that in October 2024, news was received of potentially relevant facts from the canonical penal point of view, mainly related to the female association Daughters of Merciful Love, of diocesan right in Madrid, and which could also involve some member of the male community.
These suspicions—which, according to various reports, include possible spiritual and conscience abuses not yet proven—motivated the opening of investigations by the Archdiocese of Madrid and the Tribunal of the Rota, with the collaboration of the Diocese of Getafe, which has provided the required documentation.
Likewise, during the information gathering, issues arose regarding the community that previously resided in Cubas de la Sagra. Although they did not constitute penal matter, they did require deeper discernment, which led to establishing direct dialogue with priests, deacons, and seminarians.
Temporary suspension of ordinations and new incorporations
As a prudential measure, and pending the development of the investigations, the Bishop of Getafe decided to temporarily suspend the admission of new seminarians, as well as the possibility that the current ones can request or receive sacred orders.
This decision, also confirmed by other sources, responds to the criterion of caution adopted by the involved dioceses before an investigation still open, with the aim of ensuring doctrinal rectitude, adequate formation of the candidates, and the protection of the faithful.
Coordination between dioceses and control measures
In July 2025, the Archdiocese of Madrid appointed an extraordinary commissioner for the association of the Daughters of Merciful Love and established various provisions regarding its functioning. Some of these indications also affect the relationship of the priests with said association, and have been punctually communicated to those concerned.
The Diocese of Getafe has emphasized that it maintains fluid communication with the Archdiocese of Madrid to ensure compliance with these measures while the investigations continue.