Barcelona – A new documentary, La fugida, veritats ocultes (The Escape, Hidden Truths), is set to air this Tuesday, expanding on previous investigative operate into allegations of sexual abuse within the Jesuit order in Catalonia, and beyond. Building on the 2024 documentary La fugida, the new production, a collaboration between 3Cat, Ottokar, and El Periódico de Catalunya, focuses on the mechanisms of cover-up employed by religious congregations and schools, and names four individuals accused of abuse.
The documentary will be broadcast on Sense ficció at 10:05 PM local time (8:05 PM UTC) and will as well be available in an extended three-episode version on the 3Cat platform. This in-depth exploration aims to shed light on a dark chapter and hold perpetrators accountable, according to those involved in its production.
La fugida, veritats ocultes, spearheaded by journalist Guillem Sánchez, identifies Josep Blay, a priest in Alella (Maresme); Manel Sales, a Scalabrinian missionary who served in Senegal; Joaquim Calvet, a teacher at the Pare Manyanet School; and Arnaldo Farré, of the Marist Brothers, as individuals accused of abusing minors. Sánchez explained that the documentary delves into past cases within religious schools, highlighting instances of silenced abuse and specifically the transfer of Manel Sales to Senegal. A key objective, he stated, is to “put a face to the abusers.” He noted the disturbing realization that many abusers appear unaware of the harm they caused, often minimizing their actions.
The documentary is structured around three core concepts: cover-up, impunity, and “brotherhood.” The concept of cover-up examines how internal dynamics within religious congregations and schools fostered opacity and silence surrounding abuse, and the resulting consequences for victims. The focus on impunity highlights how many cases of sexual abuse escaped judicial proceedings. Finally, the concept of “brotherhood” explores the protective mechanisms and impunity afforded to abusers when they were part of a religious institution. Each of these concepts forms the basis of an episode in the three-part series.
Awakening Society
Sánchez emphasized that the documentary aims to counter the culture of cover-up and to highlight the decades-long struggle to bring these issues to light from a journalistic perspective. He explained that the documentary reveals how religious orders often confirmed details already shared by victims, rather than proactively investigating. Josep Morell, a journalist with Ottokar and co-director of the documentary, underscored the project’s goal of prompting societal reflection. “What happens to abusers when crimes are no longer prosecutable?” he asked, suggesting that these documentaries should encourage religious institutions to review their protocols and offer support to victims.
3Cat emphasizes that this type of investigative work exemplifies the public service commitment of the television network. Montse Armengou, director of Sense ficció, stated that these documentaries serve a public purpose, representing journalistic investigation and offering a form of redress for victims. She believes that the impact on society is significant when a public broadcaster undertakes such projects.
The original La fugida documentary, released in June 2024, focused on the cases of Lluís Tó and Francesc Peris, two Jesuits accused of multiple instances of child abuse at prestigious schools in Barcelona. As reported by 3Cat, both priests were highly regarded within the order, yet despite accusations, the company protected Tó and sent him to Bolivia, where he continued to abuse children. Peris was also sent to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Tó died in 2017 and was buried in the Order’s mausoleum in Bolivia, while Peris, now over 80, resides in a Jesuit care home.
The initial investigation, based on eight years of reporting by Guillem Sánchez for El Periódico, traced the path of impunity followed by the two priests between Barcelona and Bolivia, uncovering new victims and documenting the outrage of those who learned the abuse continued across the Atlantic. The new documentary, La fugida, veritats ocultes, expands this scope, examining additional cases and the systemic failures that allowed these abuses to persist.
This investigation isn’t simply a recounting of past events; it’s a critical examination of institutional failures and a call for accountability. The documentary aims to not only expose the actions of individual abusers but also to reveal the structures that enabled and protected them, prompting a broader conversation about safeguarding vulnerable populations within religious institutions. The airing of La fugida, veritats ocultes marks a significant moment in ongoing efforts to address historical abuse and prevent future harm.
The documentary’s release comes at a time of increased scrutiny of abuse within religious organizations globally. The focus on the mechanisms of cover-up and impunity is particularly relevant as victims and advocates continue to push for greater transparency and accountability. The hope is that this documentary will not only provide a voice to survivors but also inspire systemic change within these institutions.
Viewers can watch La fugida, veritats ocultes on Sense ficció at 10:05 PM local time (8:05 PM UTC) this Tuesday and access the extended three-episode version on 3Cat. The documentary promises to be a harrowing but essential viewing experience, prompting reflection and demanding action.
