SD Productions
Video with Alicia´s story:
WOAI News
Video Part 2:
VIDEO WOAI
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Alicia Trevino who recently returned to Costa Rica in order to repair the damage to her house, done by Pablo Delgado the self-proclaimed visionary of the cult, was faced with a locked gate and a blocked driveway to her property by a tractor placed there by members of the sanctuary. Only after 4 hrs of confrontation and under police protection was she able to enter her property. A camera crew of SD Productions, who is currently producing a documentary about the history of the cult, accompanied her and was faced with aggressive behavior of cult members. Immigration officials in Costa Rica also contacted SD Productions to ask for help with the investigation against Alfred Prado the priest who lives at the compound of the cult and was accused of child molestation 30 years ago. Prado was given 72 hrs to leave Costa Rica for violating his tourist visa by performing mass and other religious ceremonies.
SD Productions
Video with Alicia´s story:
WOAI News
Video Part 2:
VIDEO WOAI
SD Productions
Video with Alicia´s story:
WOAI News
Video Part 2:
VIDEO WOAI
Friday, April 15, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
TV news report exposes cult leader who claims to have Marian apparitions
San Antonio, TX, Mar 30, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- A Costa Rican cult, which continues to have Catholic followers in San Antonio, has been exposed as fraudulent and the cult leader as an imposter in a recent investigative report by News 4 WOAI. Costa Rican Juan Pablo Delgado claims he has visions and receives messages from the Virgin Mary.
CNA reported in November 2003 that Archbishop-emeritus Patrick Flores of San Antonio and three Costa Rican bishops had denounced the Reina y Señora de Todo lo Creado (The Queen and Lady of All Creation). The cult has a reputation for violence in Costa Rica, and its members were preparing for the end of the world in December 2003.
News 4 WOAI obtained pictures taken inside Delgado's Costa Rican compound, which show him acting and dressing like a priest, with bloody wounds on his hands and feet, similar to those of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Journalist Brian Collister also interviewed a former cult member, who, over the past two years, traveled between San Antonio and Costa Rica to be near Delgado. She gave him thousands of dollars and even stayed at the Cost Rican compound where Delgado claims he has his visions.
Trevino claims Delgado is manipulating followers to get their money, and when he doesn't he can become violent.
She is suing Delgado for allegedly attacking her after she refused to give him money that he said the Virgin Mary told him she had to pay to atone for a sin.
Trevino then claims Delgado starting smashing her windows with rocks while other followers stood by and did nothing. She told the journalist that she now fears for her life after Delgado passed on a message to his followers that he claims came from the Virgin Mary.
"There was a message given where they have permission to kill me," she said.
The television crew also attested to the cult members' violent streaks. When the television news team showed up last year at the Costa Rican compound, cult members grabbed their camera and chased them off their property. One follower even threatened them with a hammer.
The cult also made headlines when former San Antonio priest Fr. Alfred Prado moved to Costa Rica in 2003 and joined the group as its spiritual adviser. Prado is accused of molesting boys more than 30 years ago at St. Timothy's Church.
Follow the headline: CNA
San Antonio, TX, Mar 30, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- A Costa Rican cult, which continues to have Catholic followers in San Antonio, has been exposed as fraudulent and the cult leader as an imposter in a recent investigative report by News 4 WOAI. Costa Rican Juan Pablo Delgado claims he has visions and receives messages from the Virgin Mary.
CNA reported in November 2003 that Archbishop-emeritus Patrick Flores of San Antonio and three Costa Rican bishops had denounced the Reina y Señora de Todo lo Creado (The Queen and Lady of All Creation). The cult has a reputation for violence in Costa Rica, and its members were preparing for the end of the world in December 2003.
News 4 WOAI obtained pictures taken inside Delgado's Costa Rican compound, which show him acting and dressing like a priest, with bloody wounds on his hands and feet, similar to those of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Journalist Brian Collister also interviewed a former cult member, who, over the past two years, traveled between San Antonio and Costa Rica to be near Delgado. She gave him thousands of dollars and even stayed at the Cost Rican compound where Delgado claims he has his visions.
Trevino claims Delgado is manipulating followers to get their money, and when he doesn't he can become violent.
She is suing Delgado for allegedly attacking her after she refused to give him money that he said the Virgin Mary told him she had to pay to atone for a sin.
Trevino then claims Delgado starting smashing her windows with rocks while other followers stood by and did nothing. She told the journalist that she now fears for her life after Delgado passed on a message to his followers that he claims came from the Virgin Mary.
"There was a message given where they have permission to kill me," she said.
The television crew also attested to the cult members' violent streaks. When the television news team showed up last year at the Costa Rican compound, cult members grabbed their camera and chased them off their property. One follower even threatened them with a hammer.
The cult also made headlines when former San Antonio priest Fr. Alfred Prado moved to Costa Rica in 2003 and joined the group as its spiritual adviser. Prado is accused of molesting boys more than 30 years ago at St. Timothy's Church.
Follow the headline: CNA
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Ex-Oblate priest accused
dschiller@express-news.net
Link:
Priest Accused
Web Posted: 03/08/2004 12:00 AM CST
After a church report that 20 area priests have been accused of sexually abusing minors in the past five decades, a man who grew up in San Antonio is pushing ahead with a $20 million lawsuit claiming that in 1967 he was raped by the then-pastor at St. Timothy Church.
Neither the church nor Prado, who served at St. Timothy's from 1965 to 1968 and again in 1971, will say why he was removed from the Oblates.
The lawsuit's plaintiff, Ricardo Salinas, 50, who lives in California, where the lawsuit was filed in state court, said he was regularly counseled by Prado when he was a 14-year-old student at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio.
After an argument with his father, Salinas said he again sought Prado's help.
In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Salinas reiterated the allegations he makes in the lawsuit.
"He (Prado) offered me a large tumbler of brandy, and the next thing I know he's got his hands all over me and is kissing me," said Salinas, who also said he was sodomized.
"He kept telling me it was our little secret and not to tell anyone because they won't believe me anyway," Salinas said.
"God was dead. As far as I was concerned, God was dead."
The lawsuit contends the Oblates knew Prado was a "serial rapist" and did not keep him away from minors.
Prado, who lives in Costa Rica, couldn't be reached to respond to the lawsuit. However, he told the Express-News in December that he never molested anyone and that accusations against him were an attempt to get church money.
"A lot of people are hunting for money, so they come up and they sound good," Prado said. "I have nothing to say to them. I pray for them."
Prado has never been charged with a crime. The priest's supporters have said that years ago he was sent to church-run counseling and given a clean bill of health.
The Oblates declined to comment on the lawsuit, as did their lawyer.
Salinas, meanwhile, stands by his version of events. He said his parents didn't believe him, and that at the time it was unheard of to call the police about a priest.
"To think that I could have the temerity to accuse such a holy man branded me as an evil person who could never be trusted," Salinas said.
He said he has undergone years of counseling, has suffered from depression and doesn't trust authority because of Prado.
Salinas was able to sue because of a move by the California Legislature that suspended until December 2003 the statute of limitations on lawsuits involving the sexual assault of minors. The lawsuit was filed the day before the deadline.
Salinas' lawyer, Justin Schwartz of Oakland, Calif., said the lawsuit wasn't so much about money, but righting a wrong.
"If he (Salinas) could jump in a time machine and go back and avoid having this happen to him, he would gladly do that in lieu of any monetary award," he said.
Schwartz declined to discuss any evidence in the case.
The San Antonio Archdiocese said recently that more than $5.2 million was paid from 1950 to 2002 in settlements and counseling linked to sexual abuse of minors and clergy members.
The admission came as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a report on the extent of the sexual abuse crisis throughout the nation and a second report on its causes and effects.
San Antonio's reported cases involved allegations against 20 priests made by 58 victims from 1950 to 2002.
Prado was not on that list because he was a member of the Oblates and not officially connected with the archdiocese.
dschiller@express-news.net
Staff writer J. Michael Parker contributed to this report.
Link:
Priest Accused
Doomsday Cult Investigation
WOAL.com/February 13, 2004
By Holly Whisenhunt
An accused pedophile from San Antonio now serves as a spiritual advisor for a doomsday cult. News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Brian Collister traveled to Costa Rica to investigate and find if cult leader Juan Pablo Delgado is a visionary or a con artist.
His name is Juan Pablo Delgado and he says the Virgin Mary speaks to him. He claims he can see her while no one else can. Juan Pablo explains his visions, "She comes in human form. It's important to remember in heaven she is in body and soul. She's not transparent, she's not a ghost. She can be seen. I've been able to touch her just like I can touch anyone else."
Delgado leads what is described as a doomsday cult in Costa Rica. He has predicted the end of the world and that he will become Pope. His spiritual advisor is former San Antonio priest Father Alfredo Prado. Prado is accused of molesting young boys more than 30 years ago at St. Timothy's on the Westside. Now similar concerns are arising about the cult leader.
"Parents are leaving their kids there, depositing their kids there, because supposedly the virgin has supposed told the supposed visionary that they should leave their young boys there. There are a lot of questions about him. Again allegations that this is just a big rip off." That's according to Bruce Harris of "Casa Alianza," a Costa Rican child welfare group.
The Trouble Shooters obtained pictures taken inside the sanctuary showing Delgado dressed like a priest. The pictures also show what Delgado supporters say is a true miracle. The cult leader's hands and feet are stained with blood. Wounds he claims resemble those inflicted on Christ. Catholic Church officials in Costa Rica are outraged saying Delgado cuts himself to fool followers.
During an interview Father Baquero says, "Someone confessed to me, that he had done this to himself. That he had staged the incident. According to the source, everything is false, it's a lie."
Critics like Baquero and Harris say people are investing in a sham. But Delgado has believers here in San Antonio. "Specifically Texas and San Antonio, uh, there is apparently a group of people who believe in the virgin and are pumping significant amounts of money into this," says Harris.
San Antonio residents Guadalupe Nypaver and her husband have been mentioned in articles about the cult and have visited the compound. She tells the Trouble Shooters she was misquoted and her comments were taken out of context.
Collister asks: "We want to ask you about Juan Pablo Delgado and why you...."Nypaver responds: 'I don't know him.'" Collister: "You don't know him?" Nypaver: "No I don't."
But Nypaver does say she's been to the compound only once, and has seen Delgado. But told us she will never go back to the compound.
Nypaver: "And I'm not giving an interview." Collister: "I'm sorry we just want to ask why you're a supporter." Nypaver: "I'm not a supporter."
Neither is Costa Rican priest Father Glen Gomez. Gomez says he was attacked and beaten up by Delgado's followers after warning people to stay away from the dooms day group. When the Trouble Shooters showed up at the Costa Rican compound cult members became violent and grabbed our camera. Moments later, from across the street, we spotted a shaggy haired young man. It was the cult leader himself Juan Pablo Delgado, looking dazed and being led by the hand by one of his supporters.
Collister yells: "Juan Pablo can we talk to you?" He would not talk to us. But another man, Alvaro Matamore, who is not a believer, has plenty to say about the cult and its leader. "No. No, I have never believed this. According to Juan Pablo, only he can see the virgin may and no one else. He'll ask people to confide their problems in the Virgin Mary and according to him, only he will receive the solutions."
Matamore thinks Delgado is a powder keg waiting to explode and he predicts more violence in the future. "He's a very temperamental person. Sometimes he's calm, normal than he's aggressive, violent. For example, one time he broke an image of the Virgin Mary just because he didn't like it. He demanded a new one. In my opinion, he's crazy just like a lot people who are following him," Matamore declares.
Alvaro's opinions may be blunt but he has a personal loss to the cult. His own wife and daughter left him to join Delgado. While we were videotaping the compound from the surrounding lush green coffee bean fields, Alvaro noticed something in the distance. After looking closer he realized he was seeing his family, it was the first time in several months. Collister asks, "What do you think when you see them? Does it hurt?" Alvaro sadly answers "Yeah... Hurt for me." An emotional moment for a man who lost everything he loved to Delgado and the dooms day cult.
Since our story aired we have heard from Bruce Harris with "Casa Alianza." He now plans to show our story to Costa Rican officials and ask them to revoke Alfredo Prado's tourist visa and have him thrown out of the country. We'll keep you posted.
Link:
Rick Ross Institute
WOAL.com/February 13, 2004
By Holly Whisenhunt
An accused pedophile from San Antonio now serves as a spiritual advisor for a doomsday cult. News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Brian Collister traveled to Costa Rica to investigate and find if cult leader Juan Pablo Delgado is a visionary or a con artist.
His name is Juan Pablo Delgado and he says the Virgin Mary speaks to him. He claims he can see her while no one else can. Juan Pablo explains his visions, "She comes in human form. It's important to remember in heaven she is in body and soul. She's not transparent, she's not a ghost. She can be seen. I've been able to touch her just like I can touch anyone else."
Delgado leads what is described as a doomsday cult in Costa Rica. He has predicted the end of the world and that he will become Pope. His spiritual advisor is former San Antonio priest Father Alfredo Prado. Prado is accused of molesting young boys more than 30 years ago at St. Timothy's on the Westside. Now similar concerns are arising about the cult leader.
"Parents are leaving their kids there, depositing their kids there, because supposedly the virgin has supposed told the supposed visionary that they should leave their young boys there. There are a lot of questions about him. Again allegations that this is just a big rip off." That's according to Bruce Harris of "Casa Alianza," a Costa Rican child welfare group.
The Trouble Shooters obtained pictures taken inside the sanctuary showing Delgado dressed like a priest. The pictures also show what Delgado supporters say is a true miracle. The cult leader's hands and feet are stained with blood. Wounds he claims resemble those inflicted on Christ. Catholic Church officials in Costa Rica are outraged saying Delgado cuts himself to fool followers.
During an interview Father Baquero says, "Someone confessed to me, that he had done this to himself. That he had staged the incident. According to the source, everything is false, it's a lie."
Critics like Baquero and Harris say people are investing in a sham. But Delgado has believers here in San Antonio. "Specifically Texas and San Antonio, uh, there is apparently a group of people who believe in the virgin and are pumping significant amounts of money into this," says Harris.
San Antonio residents Guadalupe Nypaver and her husband have been mentioned in articles about the cult and have visited the compound. She tells the Trouble Shooters she was misquoted and her comments were taken out of context.
Collister asks: "We want to ask you about Juan Pablo Delgado and why you...."Nypaver responds: 'I don't know him.'" Collister: "You don't know him?" Nypaver: "No I don't."
But Nypaver does say she's been to the compound only once, and has seen Delgado. But told us she will never go back to the compound.
Nypaver: "And I'm not giving an interview." Collister: "I'm sorry we just want to ask why you're a supporter." Nypaver: "I'm not a supporter."
Neither is Costa Rican priest Father Glen Gomez. Gomez says he was attacked and beaten up by Delgado's followers after warning people to stay away from the dooms day group. When the Trouble Shooters showed up at the Costa Rican compound cult members became violent and grabbed our camera. Moments later, from across the street, we spotted a shaggy haired young man. It was the cult leader himself Juan Pablo Delgado, looking dazed and being led by the hand by one of his supporters.
Collister yells: "Juan Pablo can we talk to you?" He would not talk to us. But another man, Alvaro Matamore, who is not a believer, has plenty to say about the cult and its leader. "No. No, I have never believed this. According to Juan Pablo, only he can see the virgin may and no one else. He'll ask people to confide their problems in the Virgin Mary and according to him, only he will receive the solutions."
Matamore thinks Delgado is a powder keg waiting to explode and he predicts more violence in the future. "He's a very temperamental person. Sometimes he's calm, normal than he's aggressive, violent. For example, one time he broke an image of the Virgin Mary just because he didn't like it. He demanded a new one. In my opinion, he's crazy just like a lot people who are following him," Matamore declares.
Alvaro's opinions may be blunt but he has a personal loss to the cult. His own wife and daughter left him to join Delgado. While we were videotaping the compound from the surrounding lush green coffee bean fields, Alvaro noticed something in the distance. After looking closer he realized he was seeing his family, it was the first time in several months. Collister asks, "What do you think when you see them? Does it hurt?" Alvaro sadly answers "Yeah... Hurt for me." An emotional moment for a man who lost everything he loved to Delgado and the dooms day cult.
Since our story aired we have heard from Bruce Harris with "Casa Alianza." He now plans to show our story to Costa Rican officials and ask them to revoke Alfredo Prado's tourist visa and have him thrown out of the country. We'll keep you posted.
Link:
Rick Ross Institute
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Alfredo Prado must go out Costa Rica
Controversial priest
told to leave country
Immigration officials have told a U.S. priest that he must leave the country.
The priest is the controversial Alfred Prado, 74, who is associated with the Santuario de la Virgen Reina y Señora de Todo lo Creado in San Isidro de Grecia.
A release from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería said that the priest had violated the terms of his tourist visa by working as a priest. Witnesses include those who work at the sanctuary, officials said.
The priest has never sought a work permit or residency and has not received any migratory status, said Marco Badilla, director of Migración.
The priest has renewed his tourist visa a number of times since coming here from Texas Jan. 20, 2003, immigration officials said. He has left the country and returned 10 times, they added.
The priest, who is blind, has to leave the country within 72 hours or he has five days to appeal the order.
The sanctuary also is controversial. Supporters say that the Virgin Mary has appeared to a man who is a religious visionary there. The Catholic Church does not support these claims.
After Prado came here, reports surfaced that his religious order in San Antonio, Texas, was trying to dismiss him.
Prado said then that he was a victim of revenge in the United States for his complaints about witchcraft and rampant homosexuality in the Seminary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in San Antonio.
The sanctuary was recently in the news because a former supporter, a North American woman, came with police and legal papers to reclaim a home she owns within the compound.
Check this another publication in Spanish: Prado lost Benefits
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