The Rota Tribunal, in Madrid, is investigating the former rector of El Vendrell and of the Interdiocesan Seminary of Catalonia, Norbert Miracle, for an alleged case of sexual abuse of minors that would have occurred between the late 90s and early 2000s. The complaint was filed in September 2025 and places the events at the Minor Seminary of Tarragona.
One of the alleged victims would be the non-attached councilor of the Reus City Council, José Ruiz, who has reported that the events would have occurred during his stay at the center, between 1999 and 2002. Ruiz filed the complaint in September 2025 for an alleged abuse that, according to his version, he suffered when he was 16 years old.
"With this man, things of sexual content happened, taking advantage of his position of power" - José Ruiz, non-attached councilor of the Reus City Council
Activation of the protocols and ecclesiastical investigation
After the filing of the complaint, the archbishop of Tarragona, Joan Planellas, asked to activate the protocols foreseen for this type of cases, lift the statute of limitations and remit the proceedings to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a department of the Roman Curia specialized in investigating this type of complaints.
Sources from the Archbishopric of Tarragona maintain that they have maintained constant contact with the victim, that the established protocols have been followed, and that they are awaiting to receive the sentence. The investigation is processed in the ecclesiastical sphere through the Tribunal of the Rota.
Background of the former rector
Norbert Miracle was already previously convicted for a case of abuse of power with sexual connotations involving adult seminarians. He is currently serving that sentence and cannot hold any pastoral position nor maintain contact with seminarians.
The resolution that remains in force allows him only to officiate mass in the area where he resides, in Torredembarra. Given this new investigation, he would have declined to give explanations.
The account of the complainant
José Ruiz assures that he kept silent for years out of shame and fear that they wouldn't believe him. He also maintains that this situation has had consequences on his health. He decided to take the step of reporting after the sentences for abuse of power derived from seminarians' complaints became known.
The case now remains pending the resolution that the ecclesiastical instances adopt, while the complaint again places under review what happened in the environment of the Minor Seminary of Tarragona during those years.