Rephonic
Artwork for Sacred Scandal
El Salvador
Oscar Romero
Salvadoran Civil War
Death Squads
Roberto D'aubuisson
Civil War
United States School Of the Americas
Marisa De Martinez
La Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA)
El Mozote
Nico Van Alsten
Alvaro Saravia
FMLN
Gang Violence
Immigration
Ms-13
Violence
Catholic Church
Dorothy Cazel
Father Ignacio Ayacuria

SEASON 4: The Many Secrets of Marcial Maciel

The Many Secrets of Marcial Maciel is a gripping investigative podcast uncovering the shocking life and crimes of Marcial Maciel, the founder and former leader of the Legion of Christ. Praised as a holy figure, Marcial Maciel lived a life of abuse, manipulation, and deception. Hosted by Elena Sada, a survivor and former high-ranking member of the organ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes49Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityTrue CrimeReligion

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sacred Scandal

Latest Episodes

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elena Sada experienced heart-wrenching moments within the Legion of Christ. Her path to freedom was filled with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Meanwhile, at the Vatican, winds were beginning to change. The protective mantle that had sheltered Ma... more

In 1990s Mexico, amid political chaos and a visit from Pope John Paul II, a priest named Alberto Atie learns about shocking secrets involving a prominent figure, Marcial Maciel. After agreeing to help a former legionary priest seek justice, Atie begi... more

In 1960s Spain, Marcial Maciel’s desperate search for morphine hints at a hidden addiction and a dark undercurrent to his revered image. Years later, Jason Berry’s explosive article threatens to expose Maciel’s secrets, but Jose Barba refuses to let ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal: WeeklyiHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts
Incels
IncelsiHeartPodcasts
The Turning - Seasons 1, 2 & 3
The Turning - Seasons 1, 2 & 3iHeartPodcasts and Rococo Punch
Bone Valley
Bone ValleyLava for Good Podcasts
The Opportunist
The OpportunistPodcastOne

Recent Guests

Juan Manuel Fernández
Former legionary priest close to Marcial Maciel
Episode: Forgiven but Not Forgotten
José Barba
Former legionary who also experienced abuse by Maciel
Episode: Forgiven but Not Forgotten
Lourdes Barroso
A former member of the Legion of Christ who shares her experiences under Marcial Maciel.
Legion of Christ
Episode: The Spell
Kelly Harnett
A woman who was convicted of murder but claims innocence, citing domestic abuse as a factor.
Episode: Introducing: The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer
Professor Terry Karl
Emeritus professor from Stanford University, expert witness for cases on Oscar Romero's assassination, and the murder of the Jesuits.
Stanford University
Episode: The Jesuits
Professor Hector Lindo Fuentes
Retired professor who grew up in El Salvador and studied under Father Ayacuria.
Fordham University
Episode: The Jesuits
Colonel José Antonio Castillo
Retired officer of the Salvadoran Army
Salvadoran Army
Episode: El Mozote
Leonel Claros
President of the Victims Association of El Mozote
Victims Association of El Mozote
Episode: El Mozote
Rufina Amaya
Survivor of the El Mozote massacre
Episode: El Mozote

Host

Elena Sada
Host, investigative journalist, and survivor of the Legion of Christ, formerly affiliated with multiple notable podcasts, Elena brings her personal experiences and insights into the narratives explored.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Secrets

    The podcast continues to illuminate the atrocities of the many priests, bishops etc., that have abused children in the name of religion. The narrator is hard to listen to and would like to listen to a more professional, not so emotional in her views. She is oozing her religiosity to the viewer. She is simply not a journalist. It is like someone narrating a romance novel. Ugh

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Almost act
    Canada21 days ago
  • Need more ads!

    Feels like is lacking some ads, please include more…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anghell9122
    Mexico7 months ago
  • Thank you for the history lessons!

    Soy chicana with many many years of catholic school. So I knew about Bishop Romero, the nuns and the priests but I still did not know the whole history of the civil war and the US role in it. Mil gracias for the history lessons I didn’t know I needed. I especially loved the first person accounts and interview with your family. They should be very proud of you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MJAmami
    United States8 months ago
  • Changed the way I think.

    If you’re an American, you need to understand current events and issues through the lenses of not only North America history but LatinAmerican history. This podcast is a great start.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    skercher
    United States9 months ago
  • Loved the Oscar Romero season

    Great historical storytelling

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CachimbonaPod
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many commend the powerful Survivor stories that emerge in the episodes, highlighting the human elements of complex narratives.
Listeners praise the podcast for its emotional storytelling and deep investigative reporting.
Critics mention a desire for more focus on certain episodes or topics, though many acknowledge the quality of production.
Some find the content enlightening, especially regarding the impacts of religion and institutional power.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#140
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#60
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#41
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#95
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#114
Saudi Arabia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#189
Sweden/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing Marketplace: Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”
Q: You write in your book that oftentimes people equate leaving a hometown as making it. Can you expand on that?
Staying in Columbus felt like making it for me as it allowed me to connect with my roots and create a life that embodies my values.
Introducing Marketplace: Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”
Q: When did the shift away from that start happening for you?
It never happens as a shift to being a better person; it's about becoming more resourced, and access to resources allows for a different life experience.
Introducing Marketplace: Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”
Q: Can you tell me about what else was going on in your life around the time that you got evicted?
I spent a lot of my early 20s... in and out of Franklin County Corrections, usually for theft and things associated with theft, stemming from needing resources and money.
The Power of Telling Our Own Stories with Roberto Lovato
Q: Well, why is it that these people can't get it together?
Roberto points out the misconception around Salvadoran violence, emphasizing the historical context of imposed violence and generational trauma that affects their society.
The Power of Telling Our Own Stories with Roberto Lovato
Q: Can you talk a little bit about your inspiration for writing the book?
Roberto shares several inspirations, including witnessing the imprisonment and separation of Central American children and mothers, and recognizing how liberal media often neglects or downplays these issues, specifically during Obama's presidency.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sacred Scandal

What is Sacred Scandal about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This investigative podcast uncovers the complex and dark narratives woven within various religious organizations, highlighting figures like Marcial Maciel, the controversial founder of the Legion of Christ. Through the personal experiences of survivors, it sheds light on issues of manipulation, abuse, and the institutional cover-ups of these stories, often intertwining with broader historical contexts such as the civil war in El Salvador and the tragedies surrounding influential religious leaders. Each season focuses on different provocative themes, revealing shocking truths about faith, power, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. The podcast stands out for its compelling storytelling and emotional depth, compelling l... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Sacred Scandal?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Sacred Scandal. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Sacred Scandal and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Sacred Scandal get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Sacred Scandal, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Sacred Scandal?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Sacred Scandal, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Sacred Scandal have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Sacred Scandal has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Sacred Scandal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sacred Scandal:

1. Betrayal: Weekly
2. Incels
3. The Turning - Seasons 1, 2 & 3
4. Bone Valley
5. The Opportunist

How many episodes of Sacred Scandal are there?

Sacred Scandal launched 4 years ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sacred Scandal?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Sacred Scandal?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Sacred Scandal from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Sacred Scandal?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Sacred Scandal. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Sacred Scandal?

Recent guests on Sacred Scandal include:

1. Juan Manuel Fernández
2. José Barba
3. Lourdes Barroso
4. Kelly Harnett
5. Professor Terry Karl
6. Professor Hector Lindo Fuentes
7. Colonel José Antonio Castillo
8. Leonel Claros

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days