The Church in Madrid has withdrawn the ecclesiastical recognition of the Asociación Pública de Fieles Hijas del Amor Misericordioso (HAM), dissolving it as a public association of the faithful. The decision followed an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse, coercive isolation and severe penitential practices involving the group and its leader, María Milagrosa Pérez Caballero, known as Marimí.
In May 2025, Spain’s Tribunal de la Rota recommended dissolution after reviewing complaints, information from accounts of the Church process. The Archdiocese then carried out a canonical visitation and placed HAM under intervention. Attempts to reform the association were ultimately deemed unworkable, and a decree ended its ecclesiastical recognition. Former members may continue living together privately, but not as a Church-recognized public association.
Victims and their legal representatives have described the dissolution as a necessary step in addressing what they call sectarian abuses. One former member called the group a “prison of torture for innocents” and recounted alleged sexual abuse and psychological manipulation by Marimí. Calls now focus on practical support and acknowledgment for those affected. There is also concern that former members could regroup outside Spain.
Religion professor Luis Santamaría has argued that closure alone does not address the harm former members experienced and that the Archdiocese should provide ongoing assistance. Some people who left reportedly had no housing or employment. They also lacked a support network after years of isolation from relatives and wider society. Recovery may involve addressing psychological trauma and guilt, as well as rebuilding practical and social support.
HAM was established in 1983 by priest Antonio Mansilla and formally recognized in 2007. Relatives and former members had accused its leadership of authoritarian control and restricted communication. They also said the group fostered emotional dependence. After members resigned and began sharing their experiences in 2025, the Archdiocese intervened by suspending Marimí and halting new admissions. It also appointed an external commissioner to oversee attempted reforms.
The dissolution ends the association’s recognized ecclesiastical status and its aspiration to become an institute of consecrated life. The decree does not settle former members’ personal circumstances or any separate civil questions. The distinction matters: they may continue living together privately, while the group no longer holds recognition as a public association of the faithful within the Church.
The development comes amid wider scrutiny of how the Catholic Church in Spain handles internal abuse allegations and oversees religious associations. The situation echoes broader debates about institutional accountability, including those prompted by controversies following Argentina’s World Cup defeat. For more on how public scandals can shape national debate, see this analysis of the aftermath of Argentina’s loss: how conspiracy theories spread after a major sporting defeat.
Former members continue to seek recognition and support as they work toward recovery. The Archdiocese’s response, along with the outcome of any civil proceedings, will shape the next stage for those affected and the wider debate over institutional responsibility.
