Cult leaders say they love you
Spain — A survivor of the congregation photographed from behind to protect her identity: Former members describe a culture of absolute submission where personal identity is systematically erased
‘Cult leaders say they love you. Then the brainwashing starts’THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE AMOR MISERICORDIOSO: COERCION AND CONTROL IN THE SIERRA DE MADRID
Behind the walls and hedgerows of a residence in the municipality of Los Molinos (Madrid), the public association of the faithful "Hijas del Amor Misericordioso" (HAM—Daughters of Merciful Love) and its male counterpart, the "Hermanos del Amor Misericordioso" (Brothers of Merciful Love), are at the center of a deep crisis following successive allegations of abuse of power, psychological abuse, and sectarian conduct
Key Elements of the Case:
- Ecclesiastical and Judicial Intervention: Following a canonical investigation by the Tribunal of the Rota that uncovered evidence of delicta graviora (grave offenses), the Archdiocese of Madrid intervened in the community. The Mother Superior, María Milagrosa Pérez Caballero ("Marimí"), was removed from her position, and an extraordinary commissioner was appointed to restructure the governance and review financial management. Parallel investigations remain active by the Spanish State Prosecution Service and the National Police’s specialized cults unit (Comisaría General de Información).
- Dynamics of Isolation and Control: Testimonios from victims and families detail swift recruitment processes targeting individuals during periods of vulnerability, followed by strict isolation. Communication with the outside world is heavily supervised and restricted to just one hour per month. Members are subjected to identity changes using biblical names, alongside absolute monitoring of their correspondence, reading materials, and daily routines.
- Deprivation and Punishments: The formal complaints detail grueling prayer schedules leading to severe sleep deprivation, strict food rationing, and the unauthorized administration of psychiatric medication. Allegations also include the use of physical punishment tools (such as cilices and disciplines) and unauthorized exorcisms.
- Extension to the Male Branch: The male branch of the organization, based in Getafe, is also under scrutiny facing separate investigations regarding alleged spiritual abuse and sexual assault under mystical pretexts and demands of blind obedience to superiors.
The case, which affects over a hundred young people, is currently awaiting a definitive resolution from the Holy See in the Vatican, while the families of those affected continue to demand the total dissolution of the organization.This documentary photo essay captures the locations, the hermetic atmosphere of the community in the Sierra de Guadarrama, and the environment where these events took place.The full investigative report, written by Katie Gatens, is available on The Sunday Times website.
Spain — The secluded retreat in Madrid’s Sierra de Guadarrama, the epicenter of allegations involving coercive control within the Church.
Spain — A panoramic view of the Guadarrama mountains surrounding the congregation's retreat in Los Molinos: The quiet, rural setting of the group’s headquarters contrasts with the desperate pleas for help from families on the outside
Spain — Horses behind a fence in the village of Los Molinos: The strict physical and emotional barriers imposed by the leadership have left many members cut off from their past lives
Spain — The quiet, rural setting of the group’s headquarters contrasts with the desperate pleas for help from families outside.
Spain — The main church in the village of Los Molinos, which dates back to 1570: A local landmark in the quiet mountain community where the controversial group is based.
Spain — Inside the local church of Los Molinos, where the Eucharist is displayed and several residents can be seen in prayer: The somber interior reflects the traditional religious atmosphere of the village
Spain — A stained-glass window depicting the Virgin of Solitude inside the Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Los Molinos, which dates back to 1570: The icon of mourning and silence mirrors the experiences of survivors who claim to have been isolated from the outside world.
Spain — A pamphlet announcing a Papal visit to Madrid resting on a wooden pew in Los Molinos: Families have taken their fight to the highest levels of the Vatican, demanding the total dissolution of a group they describe as a "destructive sect’’
Spain — A stone cross stands in silhouette outside the Chapel of Saint Joseph (Capilla de San José) in Los Molinos
Spain — The secluded retreat in Madrid’s Sierra de Guadarrama, the epicenter of allegations involving coercive control within the Church.
Spain — A local shepherd tending to his flock near the congregation’s headquarters: Allegations suggest a leadership style that demands blind obedience, far removed from traditional religious guidance.
Spain — The monumental 150-meter-high cross of the Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) looms over the horizon, visible from the residence of the Daughters of Merciful Love: Built by General Franco’s dictatorship using the labor of political prisoners, the site served as the dictator's tomb for over forty years and remains a controversial pilgrimage site for his followers.