In 2022, victims of alleged abuses that occurred between 2006 and 2010 formalized their complaints. At that time, Robert Francis Prevost was still leading the diocese, and it is alleged that these complaints were not investigated properly according to canonical procedure. According to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), the victims claim that Prevost did not initiate an adequate investigation, sent little information to Rome, and allowed the accused priest to continue with his priestly duties, including publicly officiating masses in Chicago, near an elementary school.
In this context, it is mentioned that during Leon XIV's management as bishop of Chiclayo, allegations of abuse were made against priests Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzáles and Ricardo Yesquén. Despite the accusations, the victims allege that no proper investigation was conducted and that these priests continued with their duties without ministerial restrictions. SNAP has attached photographs of the accused priest officiating mass after the allegations were made against him.
On March 25, 2025, SNAP filed a complaint against the current Pope, Leon XIV, under Pope Francis's decree Vos estis lux mundi, which establishes strict norms on how the Catholic Church should frame sexual abuses committed by clergy members. Furthermore, Leon XIV has been requested to establish a Global Truth Commission within his first 100 days of pontificate and promote a universal zero-tolerance policy in canon law.
In response to the allegations, the Diocese of Chiclayo communicated that in 2022, complaints against the accused priests were received, precautionary measures were taken, and an investigation was initiated. The case was then referred to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in July 2022 for consideration.
Less than 24 hours after the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope Leon XIV, allegations of sexual abuse in Peru by the American organization SNAP have been disseminated. He is accused of covering up abuse cases during his leadership in Chiclayo, Peru, as bishop. In a particular accusation, it is mentioned that he allowed the residency of an accused abusive priest in an Augustinian convent while being the order's superior in the year 2000.