The Tico Times Online Daily Page: "PANI Investigates Youth Living at 'Sanctuary' "
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net


Alfredo Prado
The Child Welfare Agency (PANI) said Friday that it is investigating the circumstances of two minors living on the grounds of the so-called 'Sanctuary' in San Isidro de Grecia, home to polemic U.S. priest Alfredo Prado, accused last week by child-advocacy group Casa Alianza of "usurpation of authority and fraud."

PANI Minister Rosalia Gil told The Tico Times that child welfare authorities paid a visit to the 'sanctuary' last Thursday and discovered two boys, ages 14 and 16, living there with the U.S. priest, who reportedly was accused of sexually abusing children in San Antonio, Texas, where he was expelled from his parish (TT, Sept. 5).

Gil said the two brothers are reportedly living at the sanctuary with the permission of their parents, and there is no evidence that either has been a victim of sexual abuse. She did, however, say that the 14-year-old should be attending school under Costa Rican law, and that the PANI is reviewing the situation to determine the best course of action.

Prado, 75, maintains he is innocent of all allegations of misconduct. Casa Alianza, however, has accused him of celebrating mass and marriages without the approval of Costa Rica's Catholic Church, which last week said it is investigating the matter.

The Church already has taken a critical stance against Prado and the 'sanctuary,' where the Virgin Mary is thought by some to have appeared.

The Church does not recognize the sanctuary, and many of the residents living nearby are skeptical, according to local press reports. Immigration authorities last week said that Prado is in the country on a 90-day tourist visa and is prohibited by law from working or celebrating religious events.

Those who claim the Virgin appeared at the sanctuary are fervent in their belief. Last Thursday night priest and Catholic Church journalist Glen Gómez, who denounced the sanctuary as unauthorized by the Church, was attacked at his home in Escazú by 10 people who reportedly claimed to be "sons of Mary" from the "sanctuary," according to the daily La Nación.

Gómez was hospitalized for 24 hours.

Members of the sanctuary later denied playing a role in the beating, according to La Nación