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
Alvaro Saravia
Nico Van Alsten
Immigration
Gang Violence
FMLN
Ms-13
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes46Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityReligionTrue Crime

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Artwork for Sacred Scandal

Latest Episodes

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

After years of investigating abuse in the Catholic Church, journalist Jason Barry is ready for a quieter life. But when a mysterious box of documents arrives on his doorstep, he’s pulled into a new investigation. This time, the allegations point to a... more

When Elena Sada was eight, she met a priest who would change the course of her life forever. This priest, Marcial Maciel, founded the Legion of Christ, which became one of the world’s largest and wealthiest Catholic institutions. As a child, Elena wa... more

Elena Sada recounts her early experiences with the Legion of Christ, including the moment she felt “chosen” by its founder, Marcial Maciel. Lourdes Barroso shares her story of being personally invited by Maciel to become a consagrada. Both women desc... more

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Recent Guests

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
Margarita Zaravia
Cousin of Jasmine Romero, witness to family violence
Episode: A Death in the Family
Marisa de Martinez
Sister of Roberto D'Aubuisson who discusses her family's history and her brother's legacy
Episode: The Executioner

Host

Jasmine Romero
Host and writer of Sacred Scandal, focusing on uncovering deep narratives within religious and social contexts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • 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
  • Greta story telling!

    I finished the second season about LLDM and it was great! Absolutely loved all of the different points of views and the story telling. I remember hearing about this from the news and definitely was not as sympathetic with the adults who now I see how bad it truly was there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    개비1004
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience members appreciate the emotional and personal connections made within the stories, highlighting their relatability and impact.
Some reviewers critique the pacing and structure of episodes, expressing a desire for more cohesive storytelling in certain instances.
Listeners praise the podcast for its in-depth storytelling, often mentioning how it exposes systemic injustices and historical contexts.
There is positive feedback regarding the investigative journalism, with many noting its effectiveness in shedding light on important social issues and history.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#163
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#245
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#34
Chile/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#61
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#76
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#113
India/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?

The content focuses on the intersections of faith, crime, and personal stories, particularly surrounding significant historical figures and events that shaped communities. Across episodes, topics explored encompass the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador, which triggered a civil war, and the examination of the megachurch La Luz del Mundo, where allegations of sexual abuse of minors have surfaced against its leader. The storytelling intertwines personal narratives with historical contexts, offering a deep and often disturbing insight into the impact of these events on individual lives and broader societal issues. Notably, the series is recognized for its investigative journalism and the emotional depth it brings to comple... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sacred Scandal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sacred Scandal:

1. Betrayal: Weekly
2. Something Was Wrong
3. Unrestorable
4. America's Crime Lab
5. Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps

How many episodes of Sacred Scandal are there?

Sacred Scandal launched 4 years ago and published 46 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. Lourdes Barroso
2. Kelly Harnett
3. Professor Terry Karl
4. Professor Hector Lindo Fuentes
5. Colonel José Antonio Castillo
6. Leonel Claros
7. Rufina Amaya
8. Margarita Zaravia

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