Rephonic
Artwork for Sacred Scandal
Marcial Maciel
Legion Of Christ
El Salvador
Oscar Romero
Catholic Church
Pope John Paul II
Salvadoran Civil War
Mexico
Death Squads
Sexual Abuse
Domestic Violence
Roberto D'aubuisson
Legionaries Of Christ
Civil War
Jose Barba
United States School Of the Americas
Bryan Herrera
Religion
Spiritual Manipulation
Cults

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes55Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeReligionReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Sacred Scandal

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Key Facts

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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 of Sacred Scandal, survivor and former high-ranking member of the Legion of Christ

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Season 4 - WOW

    I was a member of Regnum Christi for several years in the USA. It was some of the happiest years of my and my family’s life. The formation we received and shared with the youth was amazing. The LC priests who visited were humble and faithful. The consecrated young women were fervent in their faith. But the adulation of Maciel and his constant comparison to a living saint did not sit right with us. Nor did the constant current of attracting prominent wealthy members. So we left. This podcast was... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SandyBeaches305
    United States7 months ago
  • 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
    Canada7 months ago
  • Need more ads!

    Feels like is lacking some ads, please include more…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anghell9122
    Mexicoa year 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise in-depth storytelling and survivor-focused framing.
Fans value the investigative rigor and historical context.
Some listeners wish for more concise episodes with fewer ads.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Interview with Steve Hassan
Q: What explanations can be provided for the continued existence and growth of the Legion of Christ despite its founder's crimes?
The continuation and growth can be attributed to the power of indoctrination and loyalty of current followers, despite the exposure of the organization's abusive practices.
Interview with Steve Hassan
Q: What are the psychological mechanisms that get activated when you begin to think of leaving a cult?
Leaving a cult entails overcoming indoctrinated fears of terrible consequences, as members are often programmed to believe that leaving will lead to harm.
Interview with Ciro Cómez Leyva
Q: Apart from the economic boycott, were there any other threats, any more concrete threats against maybe your life?
Ciro recounts receiving an anonymous threatening phone call to his wife on the day before the broadcast, warning her against airing the program.
Interview with Ciro Cómez Leyva
Q: Were those threats very explicit?
Ciro confirms that the threats regarding advertisement withdrawals were completely explicit and reiterated in the days leading to the broadcast.
Interview with Ciro Cómez Leyva
Q: What kind of pressure were you subjected to?
Ciro describes significant pressure from the Legionaries of Christ, government officials, and powerful corporations, all aimed at suppressing the story and protecting Maciel's image.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sacred Scandal

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

Investigations into powerful religious movements and their abuses drive this show, with a strong focus on high-profile media-worthy cases. Across seasons, it chronicles manipulation, cover-ups, survivor stories, and the lasting impact on families and communities, with investigative journalism, first-person accounts, and historical context shaping the narrative. A notable strength is the willingness to tackle difficult, controversial subjects with rigorous storytelling and a survivor-centered lens, making it a likely fit for audiences interested in true crime, accountability, and religious institutions.

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Which podcasts are similar to Sacred Scandal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sacred Scandal:

1. Unrestorable
2. The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe
3. Betrayal Season 5
4. The Binge Cases: My Mother's Lies
5. The Binge Crimes: Cut, Color, Kill

How many episodes of Sacred Scandal are there?

Sacred Scandal launched 4 years ago and published 55 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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