The Archdiocese of Madrid has dissolved the Hijas del Amor Misericordioso after serious abuse allegations. The decision follows a year-long Church intervention and a damning investigation. Victims describe years of isolation and manipulation.
The Archdiocese of Madrid has officially dissolved the Asociación Pública de Fieles Hijas del Amor Misericordioso (HAM), ending the group's ecclesiastical recognition after a year-long investigation into severe internal abuses. The move follows recommendations from the Tribunal de la Rota in Spain, which found the association's continued existence untenable due to multiple reports of sexual abuse, coercive isolation, and harsh penitential practices involving its leader, María Milagrosa Pérez Caballero, known as Marimí.
According to Church sources, the decision comes after the Tribunal de la Rota reviewed extensive complaints and advised the dissolution in May 2025. The Archdiocese subsequently launched a canonical visitation and placed the group under intervention, attempting reforms that ultimately proved unworkable. The decree now strips the group of its status as a public association of the faithful within Madrid, though members may continue to live together privately without Church recognition.
Victims and their legal representatives have described the dissolution as a necessary step to address what they call sectarian abuses within the Church. One former member characterized the group as a "prison of torture for innocents," recounting sexual abuse and psychological manipulation by Marimí. There are concerns, however, that some members may attempt to regroup abroad, and calls persist for the Church to provide tangible support and acknowledgment to those affected.
Experts on religious sects, such as religion professor Luis Santamaría, argue that while the closure is significant, it does not fully address the harm suffered by former members. He emphasizes the need for the Archdiocese to offer real, ongoing assistance to victims, noting that many left the group with no home, job, or support network, and often struggle with psychological trauma and guilt after years of isolation from family and society.
The crisis surrounding the HAM first became public last year when several members resigned and shared their experiences. The group, established in 1983 by priest Antonio Mansilla and formally recognized in 2007, had long faced accusations from relatives and ex-members of authoritarian control, restricted communication, and emotional dependency fostered by the leadership. The Tribunal de la Rota's investigation confirmed serious abuses of power and conscience, prompting the Archdiocese to suspend Marimí, halt new admissions, and appoint an external commissioner to oversee reforms.
Despite these measures, the Church ultimately concluded that the association could not be salvaged. The dissolution marks the end of a community that once aspired to become an institute of consecrated life. Now, with ecclesiastical recognition withdrawn, the future of its members depends on civil proceedings and personal recovery.
This development comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Spain faces increased scrutiny over internal abuses and the effectiveness of its oversight mechanisms. The situation echoes broader debates about institutional accountability, similar to those seen in other high-profile cases, such as the recent controversies following Argentina's World Cup defeat, which sparked widespread discussion about transparency and responsibility in public institutions. 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.
In Spain, the dissolution of the HAM highlights the challenges the Church faces in addressing abuse and supporting those affected. Many former members now seek recognition, support, and a path to healing, while Church authorities are under pressure to ensure such cases are not repeated. The outcome of ongoing civil investigations may further define the responsibilities and future actions required from both religious and secular institutions.
