He was already convicted in 2016 for another case of sexual abuse and was removed from the priesthood in 2011
They are judging the former rector of Can Picafort for sexually abusing a minor for the second time
The woman who accused the former priest of sexual abuse in Can Picafort stated during the trial on Wednesday that while she was taking attendance of her classmates sitting on his lap, «he touched her under her shirt, then under her pants and underwear, several times from top to bottom, and then inserted a finger.»
The second trial against the priest Pere Barceló, removed from his pastoral duties in 2011 following other abuse allegations and convicted in 2016, began on Wednesday at the First Section of the Provincial Court of Palma.
The former cleric is accused of sexually abusing a minor between 2007 and 2008 at the parish of the Assumption of Mary.
At the beginning of the trial, the defendant’s defense argued in the preliminary stages that there were irregularities during the investigation that would have been detrimental to their client. The Court dismissed them, but did allow the accused to testify last.
With several hours of delay, the trial began with the testimony of the victim, who was about seven years old at the time of the incidents.
The woman testified remotely from another room and recalled that she decided to report in 2017 after the issue of the abuse came up during a visit to the school psychologist.
The accuser recounted, remembering the events, that in one of the rooms where the priest taught catechesis, he took advantage of her sitting on his lap and hidden behind a table to touch her. At this point, visibly affected, the hearing was interrupted for a few minutes, during which she explained that she received psychological treatment for about two years and «always had nightmares.»
The Prosecutor’s Office is requesting that the former priest be sentenced to ten years in prison as the alleged perpetrator of a sexual abuse offense committed against a girl who was between six and seven years old at the time. They also seek to impose a restraining order for 20 years and to compensate the victim with €40,000 for the psychological trauma suffered.
In the indictment, the prosecutor states that the defendant, in his role as a parish priest, taught catechesis to children in Can Picafort. In that context, he took advantage of being able to be alone with the minor without her parents’ presence and the influence he had over her due to his position — which prevented the minor from objecting or leaving the place — he sat her on his lap and subjected her to touching.
FIRST CONVICTION
Barceló was sentenced to six years in prison in 2016 for a continuous offense of sexual assault. He confessed to sexually abusing a female altar server, who was ten years old at the time, repeatedly between 1997 and 1998.
The priest had been assigned in June 1996 to serve as the parish priest of the Church of the Assumption of Mary. In the first trial, he admitted that in early 1997, he developed a relationship with the victim as she regularly attended catechesis and served as an altar server with a group of other minors.
The young woman tearfully recounted her experience before the court and, visibly affected, recalled how she was raped more than ten times in 1998 while he covered her mouth and held her tightly so she couldn’t move or escape.
In the summer of 1997, the clergyman was caught abusing the minor on the parish sofa, but it was not reported. In early 1998, he took the altar server to his room, raping her on ten occasions.
It wasn’t until November 27, 2012, when the young woman, now of legal age, reported the incidents to the Civil Guard of Santa Margalida: «I let go because I couldn’t take it anymore,» she explained.
In the trial, the defendant expressed feeling «completely remorseful» and accepted the six-year prison sentence, as opposed to the 42 years requested by the Prosecutor initially. During the trial, the accused stated that «one must strive to be better» and wished «the best for her and her family.»
However, in this second trial, the Prosecutor’s representative believes that Barceló’s criminal record is not considered for repeat offenses.
REMOVED FROM THE PRIESTHOOD
In March 2011, the Diocese of Mallorca temporarily suspended Barceló after learning of the case.
The Church, which compensated the victim before the trial, initiated a parallel canonical proceeding that concluded before the criminal trial and resulted in the maximum canonical penalty, expulsion from the clerical state.