Jesuits expel Francesc Peris from clerical state and order

Jesuit Superior General Arturo Sosa expelled 84-year-old Francesc Peris from both the clerical state and the Society of Jesus following an internal Church tribunal found him guilty of sexual abuse against minors. The decision, announced Monday, follows an investigation into abuses committed at the Jesuit College of Casp in Barcelona, Spain, and the Juan XXIII school in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

The tribunal determined that Peris committed several offenses against the sixth commandment involving minors, with some acts dating back to at least the 1970s. According to reports, Peris is accused of abusing at least 22 children between 1974 and 2005. This canonical ruling comes nine months after Spanish authorities declined to pursue criminal charges because the statute of limitations had expired.

As a result of the expulsion from the clerical state, Peris loses all rights, responsibilities, and functions of the priesthood and is permanently barred from exercising priestly ministry. The Society of Jesus stated that Peris may continue to live in a Jesuit community to ensure he remains in an institutional environment.

The Society of Jesus acknowledged its moral and institutional responsibility for past errors in responding to the victims. The order expressed regret for the harm caused and recognized the courage of the victims in coming forward to help clarify the truth.