A former teacher at a prominent Opus Dei school in Spain has been asked to leave the personal prelature after being found guilty of sexual abuse following a second Vatican investigation into allegations that surfaced more than 15 years ago.
This case, known as the “Gaztelueta case” or “Cuatrecasas case,” has sparked significant attention.
Allegations Against José María Martínez
José María Martínez, a former teacher at the Gaztelueta School in Lejona, Spain, was accused of sexually abusing a student, Juan Cuatrecasas, between 2008 and 2010.
The incident led to a canonical investigation into Martínez’s actions. In October 2015, he was exonerated in that investigation.
However, in a separate legal process, a Spanish court sentenced Martínez to two years in prison, with the case dragging on from June 2015 until November 2020.
Pope Francis Reopens the Case
The case took a significant turn when, in June 2022, Cuatrecasas had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis during the recording of the Disney documentary The Pope Answers, which aired in April 2023.
Following this meeting, the Pope decided to reopen the investigation, appointing Bishop José Antonio Satué from the Diocese of Teruel and Albarracín as the delegate to oversee the process.
Satué is the judge in the ongoing case, which resulted in Martínez’s conviction.
Martínez’s Reaction to the Sentence
On March 3, 2025, Martínez was informed of his conviction.
The sentence, which had been signed on December 17, 2024, was delivered to him after a delay, with an explanation that Bishop Satué was unable to notify him sooner due to other non-delegable and non-postponable obligations.
Martínez, who continues to assert his innocence, posted about his experience on his personal blog.
He also noted the timing of the announcement, which coincided with the day Bishop Satué was scheduled to appear before a judge in Pamplona to defend himself against a lawsuit filed by Martínez, who claims his right to a good reputation was violated.
Ongoing Legal and Church Struggles
Martínez also pointed out that the court session in Pamplona was postponed because Bishop Satué failed to provide the requested documentation and other materials, which, according to Martínez, the Church has never made public.
The ongoing legal and religious struggles continue to add complexity to this case, which has now been revived after years of legal battles.