Leo XIV’s Move: Laicizing Padre LutePriest Without a Trial

The Peruvian abuse case involving the priest Eleuterio Vásquez, known as Padre Lute, has taken an unexpected turn. Pope Leo XIV has granted him laicisation, effectively closing the case without a canonical trial.
The case centers on the three sisters Quispe Díaz who accuse “Lute” of sexually abusing them when they were children (between ages 9 and 13). According to reporting, Lute acknowledged the acts as “sins” but claims they do not constitute crimes because there was no penetration.
Sudden Notification
Today, InfoVaticana.com reported that the sisters had been summoned in person because the cleric handling the case had important news for them.
Expecting a letter from Pope Leo XIV — perhaps an apology and clear steps towards justice — they instead received a folded sheet informing them that Leo XIV had granted Lute laicisation 'as a grace', thereby closing the canonical process.
In September, the sisters explicitly asked that no dispensation be granted until a proper investigation …More