Sacred Scandal podcast

Sacred Scandal

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 organization, this series explores Maciel's rise to power, his extensive abuse, and his eventual downfall. SEASON 3: Nation of Saints In 1980, one man held together a fragile peace in the tiny nation of El Salvador: Archbishop Oscar Romero. When he is brutally and publicly assassinated on the pulpit, his murder starts a war that would leave 75,000 dead, and a million more displaced around the globe. Sacred Scandal season 3, Nation of Saints, follows host Jasmine Romero as she uncovers the holy war that followed the Archbishop's death, and led to an unsolved murder in her own family. SEASON 2: La Luz del Mundo Sacred Scandal, named one of Podtrac’s Best New Podcasts of 2022, embarks on its second season, focusing on Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World). It tells the story of Naasón Joaquín García, a self-proclaimed apostle, who is currently behind bars after pleading guilty in June 2022 of sexually abusing girls from his congregation. Naasón is currently serving a nearly 17-year sentence, but maintains his innocence. Host and investigative journalist Roberta Garza explores Naasón's control over a multitude of devotees, some of whom now describe their experiences in the church as "pure evil." In this true-crime series, survivors share stories about this powerful religious leader and the alleged sexual abuse that followed, many relating to minors. SEASON 1: Two decades ago on a calm, dark Miami night, a nun was stabbed nearly 100 times on the grounds of a prestigious private academy and monastery, by student Mykhaylo Kofel. As investigators started asking questions around this Byzantine Catholic School and the gruesome murder, they found more than just her killer. In a search for answers that stretches into some of the most remote villages of Eastern Europe, they uncovered allegations of sexual abuse, secret letters to the Vatican and other mysteries of faith. Sacred Scandal unravels the fuller picture that came to light in the wake of this crime. Led by a former student, told by those who lived through the aftermath, and Kofel himself, the show pieces together a complicated narrative that, twenty years later, still has those closest to it questioning what they truly believe… including a man who’s spent half his life in prison for the crime: “It’s so unbelievable. It definitely wasn’t me. I’m not a killer. No way. That’s not me.” — Mykhaylo Kofel, 2021

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 organization, this series explores Maciel's rise to power, his extensive abuse, and his eventual downfall. SEASON 3: Nation of Saints In 1980, one man held together a fragile peace in the tiny nation of El Salvador: Archbishop Oscar Romero. When he is brutally and publicly assassinated on the pulpit, his murder starts a war that would leave 75,000 dead, and a million more displaced around the globe. Sacred Scandal season 3, Nation of Saints, follows host Jasmine Romero as she uncovers the holy war that followed the Archbishop's death, and led to an unsolved murder in her own family. SEASON 2: La Luz del Mundo Sacred Scandal, named one of Podtrac’s Best New Podcasts of 2022, embarks on its second season, focusing on Mexico-based megachurch La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World). It tells the story of Naasón Joaquín García, a self-proclaimed apostle, who is currently behind bars after pleading guilty in June 2022 of sexually abusing girls from his congregation. Naasón is currently serving a nearly 17-year sentence, but maintains his innocence. Host and investigative journalist Roberta Garza explores Naasón's control over a multitude of devotees, some of whom now describe their experiences in the church as "pure evil." In this true-crime series, survivors share stories about this powerful religious leader and the alleged sexual abuse that followed, many relating to minors. SEASON 1: Two decades ago on a calm, dark Miami night, a nun was stabbed nearly 100 times on the grounds of a prestigious private academy and monastery, by student Mykhaylo Kofel. As investigators started asking questions around this Byzantine Catholic School and the gruesome murder, they found more than just her killer. In a search for answers that stretches into some of the most remote villages of Eastern Europe, they uncovered allegations of sexual abuse, secret letters to the Vatican and other mysteries of faith. Sacred Scandal unravels the fuller picture that came to light in the wake of this crime. Led by a former student, told by those who lived through the aftermath, and Kofel himself, the show pieces together a complicated narrative that, twenty years later, still has those closest to it questioning what they truly believe… including a man who’s spent half his life in prison for the crime: “It’s so unbelievable. It definitely wasn’t me. I’m not a killer. No way. That’s not me.” — Mykhaylo Kofel, 2021

 

#55

Introducing: The Brothers Ortiz

The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very differe... more

13 Dec 2025

01 MINS

01:04

13 Dec 2025


#54

Interview with Steve Hassan

In our last episode, we ask ourselves… Was Elena Sada part of a cult? We sat down t... more

27 Nov 2025

29 MINS

29:22

27 Nov 2025


#53

Interview with Ciro Cómez Leyva

An exclusive interview with Mexican journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva. In this special ep... more

20 Nov 2025

16 MINS

16:16

20 Nov 2025


#52

Rebirth

Despite distance, memories persist, symbolized by a mysterious package. Elena recounts reb... more

13 Nov 2025

35 MINS

35:39

13 Nov 2025


#51

Like father, like father

When an eight-year-old girl in Cancún revealed that her priest had abused her, her ... more

06 Nov 2025

27 MINS

27:34

06 Nov 2025


#50

The Quiet End

Maciel’s death unleashed a storm of conflicting emotions throughout the Legion of Ch... more

30 Oct 2025

29 MINS

29:16

30 Oct 2025


#49

The Family Trips

Raul Gonzalez knew one rule: never touch his father’s crocodile-skin briefcase. His ... more

23 Oct 2025

32 MINS

32:49

23 Oct 2025


#48

After The Fall

Elena Sada experienced heart-wrenching moments within the Legion of Christ. Her path to fr... more

16 Oct 2025

31 MINS

31:12

16 Oct 2025


#47

Forgiven but Not Forgotten

In 1990s Mexico, amid political chaos and a visit from Pope John Paul II, a priest named A... more

09 Oct 2025

34 MINS

34:30

09 Oct 2025


#46

The Pains

In 1960s Spain, Marcial Maciel’s desperate search for morphine hints at a hidden add... more

02 Oct 2025

36 MINS

36:46

02 Oct 2025


#45

I started hearing rumors

After years of investigating abuse in the Catholic Church, journalist Jason Barry is ready... more

25 Sep 2025

34 MINS

34:10

25 Sep 2025


#44

The Spell

Elena Sada recounts her early experiences with the Legion of Christ, including the moment ... more

18 Sep 2025

39 MINS

39:32

18 Sep 2025


#43

A Personal Message From the Pope

When Elena Sada was eight, she met a priest who would change the course of her life foreve... more

18 Sep 2025

47 MINS

47:57

18 Sep 2025


#42

Introducing: Sacred Scandal: The Many Secrets of Marcial Maciel

Sacred Scandal is back for a fourth season. The Many Secrets of Marcial Maciel is a grippi... more

11 Sep 2025

01 MINS

01:00

11 Sep 2025


#41

Introducing Marketplace: Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”

To kick off Marketplace’s season premiere, we’re sharing a conversation with o... more

30 Jan 2025

36 MINS

36:50

30 Jan 2025