The Diocese of Mallorca has removed a diocesan priest from his pastoral duties after an adult woman reported that the presbyter had touched her inappropriately. The news, first reported this Friday by Diario de Mallorca, has been confirmed by sources from the diocese. The priest was the parish priest in Santa María del Camí and in Alaró, and his name has not been made public.
According to the published information, the woman told a social worker what had happened, and it was from that testimony that the diocese became aware of the case. The affected woman has not filed any formal complaint so far, a circumstance that, however, has not prevented the Diocese from acting as a precautionary measure.
The diocese maintains that the measure is proportionate
The Diocese explained that it has acted “following the current protocols” and considers the measures adopted “proportionate” in light of the facts that have been reported to it. For the time being, it added, it does not consider it necessary to make new decisions, although it declared itself “fully available” to cooperate if new information arises.
The removal is carried out as a precaution and without any judicial or canonical ruling on what happened. It is an accusation and not a proven fact, so the priest enjoys the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.
Other recent cases in the Balearic diocese
The news comes to a diocese that has seen several similar episodes in recent years. In November 2024 InfoVaticana reported the suicide of priest Guillem Feliu, who was under investigation for two complaints of alleged abuse of minors, before the case was clarified in court.
Also still open in the Court of Investigation number 5 of Palma is the case of alleged abuse of a woman with a disability, in which a diocesan priest and two Jesuits are under investigation. In July 2024 this media outlet reported that one of the Jesuits admitted before the judge to having relations with the complainant, which he described as consensual and after she had reached the age of majority.
In the case now known, the outcome will depend on whether the woman decides to go to court or not and on what the diocese decides if additional information emerges. For the moment, the parish priest remains removed from his pastoral ministry.