On September 15, 2026, in Rome, the pontifical delegates of the IVE and of the Servants of the Lord and of Our Lady of Matará held a meeting with the provincial superiors of both institutes and with the heads of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
During that meeting, the decisions taken by the special criminal courts that examined Buela’s case at first instance and on appeal were reported.
“At both levels of trial, he was found guilty of an offence against the sixth Commandment committed with violence against a number of persons.”
The statement is particularly relevant because it does not come from a media outlet, former members of the Institute or a victims’ organisation.
The text is signed by Sister Clara Echarte Oñate, pontifical delegate of the SSVM; Monsignor José Antonio Satué Huerto, pontifical delegate of the IVE; and Sister Simona Brambilla, prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life.
The statement also expressly recognizes the people harmed by Buela’s behavior and links this clarification to the process of review, renewal and purification of the spirituality, formation and apostolate of both institutes.
The publication puts an end to any possible ambiguity about the outcome of the canonical processes: Carlos Miguel Buela was found guilty in the first instance and that guilt was confirmed on appeal. The authority that currently governs the Institute now publicly recognizes it.
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