Secretary General of Peruvian Bishops Accused of Homosexual Abuse - Denies Any Wrongdoing
Bishop Santarsiero is the Secretary General of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Huacho.
The accusation is systematic homosexual abuse and psychological mistreatment of individuals under his authority.
Vulnerable Minor from Poor Rural Background
The main complaint comes from an anonymous young layman called “D.” He is now around thirty years old, originally from a rural area in northeastern Peru and from a humble, large family.
His testimony claims that the abuse began at the Catholic high school of the Diocese of Huacho and continued for several years.
According to the complaint, the alleged acts include forced hugs, genital touching, and pressure mechanisms linked to promises of scholarships and employment in diocesan companies:
“I felt very uncomfortable. He held me by the waist, touched me (…) It was traumatizing. I couldn’t understand how someone admired and revered by so many people could do those things.”
Second Independent Testimony
Furthermore, the dossier includes the testimony of an anonymous priest referred to as “P. B.”. He lived with Bishop Santarsiero for several months as a personal assistant in the early years of his episcopate.
In his statement, the priest describes a pattern of alleged psychological manipulation, non-consensual touching, sexually explicit behavior, internal defamation, and progressive retaliation when he resisted the bishop’s advances.
According to his testimony, the bishop repeatedly labeled him as homosexual as a means of pressure and control and used this claim to delay his priestly ordination.
The accusations come from two independent witnesses who describe similar patterns.
Leo XIV Informed as Cardinal and Pope - No Response
P. B. states that he sent a personal report in November 2024 to the then Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Cardinal Robert Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV).
Months later, he personally traveled to Rome and delivered the same report to Leo XIV’s office in December 2025. He says he has received no response to date.
Santarsiero, however, was received in June 2025 along with the bishops of Peru by Leo XIV.
P. B. comments: “Our Pope Leo XIV says it is important to listen to victims of sexual abuse. I humbly ask His Holiness: when will the day come when he has to listen to me? How many more years must I wait?”
The Bishop Denies the Accusations
Bishop Santarsiero denies the allegations. He said in a statement that he has not been notified of such an accusation:
“I categorically deny the conduct attributed to me - the accusations of sexual abuse and psychological abuse that you mention in your communication - as these are entirely at odds with my career and principles as a priest and bishop, in which I have always acted with integrity, respect, and pastoral commitment.”
He asks to get the dossier to “take legal action, if warranted.”
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