New abuse allegation surfaces against Argentine priest ahead of trial

Argentine priest Patricio Cruz Viale, already detained on charges of aggravated sexual abuse, now faces an additional complaint from a relative. The new accusation alleges he sexually assaulted her when she was seven years old and he was sixteen.

This development occurs just days before Cruz Viale's trial for the initial charges is set to begin. The new complaint is being investigated by the same prosecutor who handled the first case. According to the accuser, the alleged assault took place in December 1983 while she was sleeping.

The woman who filed the new complaint reportedly decided to come forward after learning of the other case against the priest. Her intention was to ensure the full history was investigated, though the statute of limitations may apply due to the time elapsed. A recent legal reform, however, emphasizes "respect for victims' silence periods."

Cruz Viale, a former prominent figure in the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement in Córdoba, holds a doctorate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has authored three books. The first accusation against him came from a 46-year-old woman who alleged abuse in his office after a mass in early 2024.

The Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement previously issued a statement in 2024 acknowledging the first complaint and confirming their cooperation with authorities. Cruz Viale was moved to house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor in December after initially being held in a prison facility.