Thread by @AnaVHerrero

#TriggerWarning containing abuse
Our two-year investigation reports on church abuse in Venezuela for the first time. In #Venezuela, priests returned to ministry -some without touching jail- after being convicted of crimes against children.
wapo.st/3QDH48C

We found cases in 11 of Venezuela’s 23 states. All shared an element in common:
Victims came from poor and vulnerable backgrounds.
This investigation shows the irregularities of a broken justice system that benefits the powerful - like the Church- but never the victim.

All shared an element in common: Victims came from poor and vulnerable backgrounds. It shows years of abuse and irregularities known by the justice system and the Church.

“So many things have been put off because of the social and political turmoil,” said @Dsmild. “One of the institutions that Venezuelans most respect is the Catholic Church. It limits how much you can act.”

Opposition lawmakers who spoke with me said that the church has a lot of power in the country. They said topics like abortion and same-sex marriage were banned from the 2015 opposition Assembly because the Church ordered it.
wapo.st/3QDH48C

Luis Alberto Mosquera, in Lara, was convicted of sexual abuse, but he still works as a priest in Humocaro Alto. In Zulia, Rafael Márquez, was accused of “aggravated violent lewd acts” against 12 children that he was supposed to protect.

Priest Enrique Castro pleaded guilty on two counts of abuse against two children, was sentenced to 5 years, but was still granted probation. The Church and authorities learned about Castro´s other alleged abuse cases in 2014. Police documents show that Bishop Quintero knew.

Survivors like @Arauj0Jose had to turn to other countries to find justice. In Venezuela, he alerted Mons. Porras @bepocar of his case, but the investigation showed no evidence to continue, but in Mexico, the priest was found guilty and expelled.

None of the hundreds of nongovernmental organizations in Venezuela focus on abuse by priests. Victims have turned to groups in Argentina and Chile for support.

Thank you to survivors and the people inside the system who opened up the doors for this to come to light. If you want to share your case, send a tip, or share more information about these cases, DM me or send me an email at [e-mail]
wapo.st/3QDH48C