Abuser rehabilitated by Bishop in Spain

The Bishop of San Sebastian 'rehabilites' Kakux, the former vicar whom Munilla removed for abuse

The Bishop of San Sebastian has made public the new appointments and some changes in the diocesan structure and in parishes of the diocese of San Sebastian.

Prado Ayuso has appointed the priest Mikel Aranguren (Azpeitia, 1978), as the new Vicar General of the Bishopric of San Sebastian, replacing Juan Mari Olaetxea.

Apart from this appointment in the organic structure of the diocese, the bishop has appointed Juan Cruz Mendizabal (Kakux) as the new priest assigned to the parish of the Assumption of Our Lady of Beasain, thus rescuing him from the banishment imposed on him by Jose Ignacio Munilla. The one who was vicar general of Gipuzkoa between 2013 and 2016 was removed from office after recognizing dishonest touching of minors in 2001 and 2005, which cost him banishment for a time.

In 2017, the then Bishop of San Sebastian, Jose Ignacio Munilla, confirmed that the Diocese became aware in March 2016 of a complaint against the then vicar general, Kakux, for indecent touching performed on two minors in 2001 and 2005.

A canonical process was then initiated against the Vicar General. "The penal administrative process in charge of Rev. Mendizábal Irízar concluded with the declaration of guilt of the defendant and the imposition on him of various expiatory penalties ex cann. 1336-1338 CIC and other administrative and disciplinary measures," the diocese said in a statement in 2017.

Munilla had no choice but to decree "preventive measures" among which are "the obligation to reside in a monastery" and the prohibition to "be with minors if it is not the presence of another adult," as well as the "exercise .public of the priestly ministry." In June 2017, he left the monastery to go live in the Gipuzkoa town of Ormaiztegi.

Now, Bishop Prado Ayuso has decided to count on him again and give him a pastoral assignment as up to six priests leave the diocese for various reasons. The well-known former vicar general of the diocese of San Sebastian, condemned for abuse by canonical means, will again have public responsibility by decision of Fernando Prado Ayuso, Bishop of San Sebastian.

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