Urgell diocese bars priest accused of sexually abusing seminarian pending canonical probe

Measures announced on Monday

The Diocese of Urgell, based in La Seu d'Urgell in the province of Lleida, announced on Monday, 9 November 2026 that it had stopped a priest from his pastoral duties and barred him from exercising public priestly ministry. The measures will stay in place until the diocese's investigation is complete. The diocese said they followed an in-person meeting with the complainant, a seminarian, that had been agreed for 30 October and took place on Monday. At that meeting the young man was able to give his account of the events freely.

The diocese repeated its offer of psychological and spiritual support and said it had assured the complainant that the facts would be investigated promptly. In its communiqué it asked for prudence while the procedures run their course.

“The diocese stands ready for the listening, welcome and accompaniment of the people involved, and asks for prudence while the procedures run their course.”

Complaint and timeline

According to the diocese, the complaint reached it by burofax in October. Once the complainant identified the priest on 17 October 2026, the diocese's office for receiving abuse reports contacted the complainant and opened a canonical investigation. The diocese says it encouraged the complainant to exercise his rights and go to the civil authorities, and it offered him support throughout the process.

El Periódico, citing the Ara newspaper, says the complainant filed a report with the Mossos d'Esquadra against the priest on 26 October. The Mossos have since opened their own investigation.

The allegations

The Ara newspaper first made the case public. According to Ara, as relayed by ABC and other outlets, the complainant is a 26-year-old seminarian who accuses a 54-year-old priest of the diocese of sexually assaulting him in a flat in Barcelona. The paper says the priest used his position and his control over the young man's studies to assault him repeatedly and under threats. Ara also says the seminarian had to leave the seminary and hide in a house, out of fear of reprisals.

Ara criticises the diocese for inaction. It says the accused priest kept working as rector of his parish and kept regular contact with young people weeks after the allegations were notified by burofax. It adds that the seminarian had to take his warnings to the apostolic nuncio in Spain and to the Holy See in Rome. These claims are allegations, and no charges have been reported in the sources.

Diocese position and next steps

The diocese, led by bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat according to ABC, says it will cooperate fully with the Administration of Justice to establish the facts. It has also said it will act with full respect for the rights of everyone affected.

“The Diocese of Urgell reiterates its firm will to collaborate fully with the Administration of Justice for the full clarification of the facts.”

The canonical investigation is meant to clarify the causes of the case. The Mossos d'Esquadra investigation runs in parallel. The sources do not give a date by which either inquiry is due to conclude.