P. Maurilio Villafana Morales

In 2019 Villafana Morales became the subject of a 4-year criminal investigation after allegations that he sexually abused girl in his parish in the district of Mato, province of Huaylas, beginning when she was age 9 in 2014 and continuing until 2019. Reportedly, four additional victims had come forward alleging abuse by Villain Morales when they were between the ages of 8 and 10, and a second criminal investigation was initiated. The lawyer of one of the victims stated that the Church interfered with the judicial process. Further, three adult members of the parish were accused of enabling Villafana Morales’ abuse, and he was kept in ministry after allegations were reported. Parishioners rallied around the priest and harassed the victims’ families. The families contacted a news reporter who exposed the situation. Villa Morales filed a complaint against the reporter. Eventually Villa Morales was suspended from the parish and dismissed from the school. In July 2022 a judge rejected the prosecutor’s office request for pre-trial detention, asserting that the priest was not a flight risk. Villafana Morales was convicted. On May 3, 2023, the Juzgado Penal Colegiado Supraprovincial de la Corte Superior de Áncash unanimously sentenced Villafana Morales to life imprisonment. The priest failed to show up to begin his sentence. A reward was offered for his capture by the Ministry of the Interior. The Peruvian Episcopal Conference issued a statement expressing solidarity with victims of sexual abuse and urged Villafana to serve his sentence. In August 2024 Villafana Morales was captured and arrested in the district of Ticapampa, province of Recuay, in the Ancash region. He was imprisoned at the Huaraz penitentiary.