Those around Father José Antonio Villena García (Padul, 1977), received in disbelief the news that the Vatican had expelled him for 'adult abuse.'

The priest, who had been appointed to the Pastoral Universitaria in Granada, is well known in the capital, in his birthplace, Padul and Bolivia where he worked as a missionary.

None were more surprised that the townsfolk of Padul, where he was a frequent visitor and “greatly loved,” according to the town’s priest, Father Carlos at the Santa María la Mayor church.

Whereas the defrocked priest had been very active all over the city of Granada, his absence over the last two years had raised a few questions amongst the parishioners.

However, other people who knew him from their schooldays said that being the priest at the Pastoral Universitaria had gone to his head; other priests of his seniority and age have to cover the requirements of several parishes, Father José did not. Many others disagree and have only praise for him.

Father José Antonio was ordained in May, 2002 and from then was the parish priest for Ugíjar, Cherín and Jorairatar, all of which are in the Alpujarra Granadina. That October he was made the Chaplain of the male residential college of Gárnata, and then in 2006 was appointed as the episcopal delegate at the Pastoral Universitaria. On Sundays he administered mass at the Santos Justo y Pastor. Just after the news of his expulsion from the Church, somebody had sprayed “Paedophile Priests” on one of its wall, which was soon erased.

In short he was considered by the Dicastery (Church authorities) to be guilty of the sexual abuse of young men, but not minors, as well as other canonical crimes.

(News: Padul, Valle de Lecrin, Granada, Andalucia)