Seminario del Pueblo de Dios: The 19 Accused Are Guilty
The SPD was a private association of the faithful founded in 1977 by Francesc Casanovas Martí (1938-2002), an unmarried layman, and Lourdes Campi Sirvent, a married mother. The priest, Don Vicenç M. Farré, and a group of young people were also involved.
When it was canonically dissolved in 2017, the SPD was present in six Spanish dioceses, as well as in Cologne (Germany) and Valledupar (Colombia).
The members of the SPD worked in various professions, but from the beginning the "study of theology" was very important.
The association was accused of "a distortion of the male-female affectivity of the Christian faithful", "marked by the confusion of sin and concupiscence, and used in the reverse sublimation of certain graces peculiar and alien to the Catholic tradition".
As a result, an investigation was opened into the alleged violation of the vow of celibacy and other practices forbidden by Catholic truth.
The court of first instance issued a verdict finding all the defendants guilty of the "crime of pseudo-mysticism". Some of the defendants were found guilty of abuse of office and failure to supervise.
The court imposed various canonical penalties, such as personal interdict, suspension from priestly ministry or prohibition from exercising it in public, prohibition from assuming responsibilities in ecclesiastical associations, and prohibition from transmitting information, knowledge or opinions on the history or thought of Francisco Casanovas, Lourdes Campi or the Seminary of the People of God.
The diocese of Vic has not specified who is subject to each penalty.
According to the diocese, seven of the accused have lodged appeals, which will be examined by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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