Legionaries of Christ priest accused of abusing 5 schoolgirls in Spain

Highlands El Encinar School in Madrid. / Credit: Courtesy of Highlands School

Madrid, Spain, Mar 13, 2025 / 06:40 am (CNA).

Father Marcelino de Andrés Núñez, a priest of the Legionaries of Christ and former secretary of Marcial Maciel, was arrested in Spain and released subject to restrictions, accused of abusing five underage girls at a school where he served as a primary and secondary school chaplain.

Maciel, the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, sexually abused at least 60 minors, most between the ages of 11 and 16, according to a report issued by the Legionaries of Christ in December 2019. 

According to several statements released by Highlands El Encinar School in recent days, Spain’s National Police arrested the priest on March 6, initially accused of sexually abusing one female student.

Upon learning of the events, the school activated the Safe Environment Protocol for cases of sexual abuse reported against a Legionary of Christ, the last approved version of which dates back to February 2023.

Within hours of informing parents of the arrest, four more complaints were received, and the school sent a new communication to parents responding to the main questions received during that period.

Highlands School explained that the priest arrived at the school in September 2022 to fill a vacancy and that he presented a certificate stating he had no criminal record for sexual offenses.

The school stated that the priest was hired despite his known ties to the founder of Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ, Marcial Maciel, “because there was no history of inappropriate behavior against minors that would prevent him from carrying out his work in an educational center.”

De Andrés was released March 8 subject to restrictions by the judge, who imposed several precautionary measures.

He was prohibited from getting within 300 meters (almost 1000 feet) of the school; from approaching or communicating with the underage girls who complained; from engaging in any activity that involves regular and direct contact with minors; and from leaving the country.

Furthermore, the judge ordered the priest to surrender his passport, and he appointed his sister and a criminal lawyer to defend him.

De Andrés is the author of numerous books in Spanish, including “Joseph of Nazareth, a Man After God’s Own Heart”; “What Are You Waiting for to Be Happy?”; “Tales of Hope”; and “Give Him Wings: More than 100 Ways to Love.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.