Patricio Cruz Viale sentenced to prison for sexual abuse

The Fourth Criminal Chamber of Córdoba has sentenced priest Patricio Cruz Viale to 3 years and 4 months in prison for sexual abuse against a member of his religious community. Cruz Viale, a member of the Schoenstatt Movement, was found guilty of sexual abuse involving his position as a minister of worship.

The incident occurred in early 2024 at the priest's personal office within the Schoenstatt sanctuary in the Cerro de las Rosas neighborhood. Following his arrest in November 2024, Cruz Viale served time in the Bouwer prison before being granted house arrest in early 2026 due to health reasons.

The court's decision reclassified the original charges, which had initially included more severe classifications, resulting in a sentence lower than what the prosecution had requested. In addition to the prison term, the ruling mandates that Cruz Viale undergo psychotherapeutic treatment specifically addressing sexual issues. He will continue to serve his sentence under house arrest while the defense reviews the grounds for a potential appeal.