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
Immigration
Gang Violence
FMLN
Violence
Catholic Church
Dorothy Cazel
Father Ignacio Ayacuria
History

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes53Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityReligionTrue Crime

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Artwork for Sacred Scandal

Latest Episodes

An exclusive interview with Mexican journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva. In this special episode, Ciro explains the struggle he went through before breaking the news about Marcial Maciel’s crimes in 1997.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.... more

Despite distance, memories persist, symbolized by a mysterious package. Elena recounts rebuilding a life in New York, finding solace in writing, and challenging the narrative of Marcial Maciel. The episode also tellsthe story of Mariana Martínez, ano... more

When an eight-year-old girl in Cancún revealed that her priest had abused her, her family’s search for justice exposed a powerful network determined to protect its own. Decades later, her story would echo in Chile, Mexico, and beyond—revealing that M... more

Maciel’s death unleashed a storm of conflicting emotions throughout the Legion of Christ. While some mourn, others grapple with the dark truth of his legacy. The shocking revelation of the Legion’s secret wealth emerges, exposing a stark contrast bet... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Mariana Martinez
Former consagrada turned human resources entrepreneur
Episode: Rebirth
Raúl Gonzalez
Son of Marcial Maciel who recounts his experiences with his father and the aftermath of his death
Episode: The Quiet End
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

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
    Canadaa month ago
  • Need more ads!

    Feels like is lacking some ads, please include more…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anghell9122
    Mexico8 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 States9 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 States10 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
#133
Colombia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#149
Chile/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#165
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#228
Brazil/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#242
Hong Kong/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Quiet End
Q: What did Raúl find regarding the promised money from Maciel?
Raúl discovered that the promised six million dollars had largely vanished, with significant amounts withdrawn to benefit his half-sister Normita instead.
The Quiet End
Q: What were the feelings Raúl experienced after his father's death?
Raúl felt a mix of pain, relief, and confusion, with tears rolling down his face as he processed his father's passing.
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.

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

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1. Incels
2. Bone Valley
3. The Idaho Massacre
4. Culpable
5. Curse of: America’s Next Top Model

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Sacred Scandal launched 4 years ago and published 53 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Sacred Scandal?

Recent guests on Sacred Scandal include:

1. Mariana Martinez
2. Raúl Gonzalez
3. Juan Manuel Fernández
4. José Barba
5. Lourdes Barroso
6. Kelly Harnett
7. Professor Terry Karl
8. Professor Hector Lindo Fuentes

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