Sename, the Chilean adoption and welfare department, is investigating Father Gerardo Joannon as one of the key actors in a ring of doctors and clergy who pressured or deceived women into giving up their children, mostly during the 1970s and ’80s, Reuters reported in May. Joannon said that he had “helped in around four or five cases, I don’t remember,” and that his aim was to prevent abortions.

A report prepared by the investigative journalists at Ciper provided evidence to the contrary, including statements from those who claimed to have witnessed Joannon telling women their infants had died and presiding over funerals with empty caskets. In August, the Chilean hierarchy confirmed that Joannon was involved in at least two adoptions without the knowledge of the mothers, Reuters reported.