The Archdiocese of Barcelona has intervened in the Valldejuli, Sant Josep Oriol, and Mare de Déu dels Desemparats foundations following an internal investigation that revealed administrative irregularities and a process of asset depletion.
The Archdiocese of Barcelona announced on Wednesday the intervention of three diocesan foundations after an external audit detected administrative irregularities. As a consequence, Archpriest Nino Rodríguez and administrator Rubén García have submitted their resignations, as confirmed by the institution in a statement.
The affected entities are the Valldejuli Foundation, the Sant Josep Oriol Foundation, and the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats Foundation. The first manages elderly residences, while Sant Josep Oriol oversees the San José Oriol priestly residence, where retired priests from the dioceses of Barcelona, Sant Feliu, and Terrassa live. The third also provides care for the elderly.
The investigation, commissioned to an external auditor, revealed in the case of Valldejuli a process of asset depletion, meaning a loss of assets due to alleged fraudulent sales of foundational goods at low prices. The other two entities showed management deficiencies that prompted the intervention.
The Archdiocese has appointed two new joint administrators for the Valldejuli Foundation to ensure its proper management. The same measure applies to the other two foundations. The institution emphasizes that these actions aim to preserve the assets and continuity of care for the residents.
Nino Rodríguez, in addition to leading the Valldejuli Foundation, was an archpriest, a pastoral responsibility for territorial coordination within the Archdiocese of Barcelona. He combined this role with parish tasks. On the foundation's website, he defined its mission as preserving the well-being of residents and understanding their concerns to provide the best care.
Rubén García, a permanent deacon and administrator of the foundation, has also resigned. On the same website, he stated that his goal was to make the residents' stay a comfortable and happy phase, ensuring the best care. The Archdiocese's statement does not name the resigning officials, but the composition of the governing bodies of Valldejuli confirms that both held those positions.
The Archdiocese continues to investigate to obtain complete information about the events. The most serious case is that of Valldejuli, where asset depletion has been confirmed. The other two foundations present administrative irregularities that are also being analyzed.
The intervention affects elderly residences and the priestly residence, which depend on these foundations. The Archdiocese assures that care for the elderly and resident priests will be guaranteed. The new administrators have already taken office.
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