In a school setting, a computer scientist was part of a troubling chapter surrounding the Stop Manyanet congregation in the Sant Andreu district of Barcelona. In March 2021, a discovery of 39 gigabytes of data, including child pornography, was made on the computer of a priest who also served as rector of the same congregation and remained in contact with minors. The priest contacted Mossos d’Esquadra for guidance, and an investigation was launched with instructions to disclose nothing. The priest’s report set a chain of events in motion that would heavily influence the lives of everyone involved.
Thanks to the priest’s report, disciplinary actions moved swiftly. The computer scientist faced dismissal, arrest, and a future trial for the alleged offenses. Meanwhile, the school administration sanctioned the scientist for allegedly tarnishing the institution’s image, forced remote work, threatened criminal charges over privacy concerns, and ultimately terminated his employment. The tension between protecting a minor’s privacy and addressing a serious accusation created a volatile atmosphere that affected the entire school community.
Nearly two years later, the scientist’s complaint brought new scrutiny to the case, with a judge, the school principal, and the congregation’s lawyer—among others—now under investigation, as reported by EL PERIÓDICO. The case continues to unfold, with the scientist advocating for anonymity and lamenting the abandonment he felt during the investigation process. The evolving legal and ethical questions surrounding the incident underscore the complexity of handling allegations involving minors while ensuring due process for all parties involved.
–School reactions contributed to anxiety and a sense of peril for those involved.
–The experience weighed heavily on the individual’s personal life, creating fear and eroding self-confidence. The person recalls not seeing the coming trouble and describes the situation as something that shattered personal certainty.
–There was genuine fear about potential consequences and a perception that many actions were being manipulated. The person felt the school’s leadership did not seem to care, which intensified paranoia and a sense of violated privacy, including concerns about the exposure of home addresses.
–The most difficult aspect involved a heavy disciplinary case, threats of criminal charges, fines, and even imprisonment. There were altered statements presented to the students’ parents, and accusations suggesting involvement in distributing child pornography were raised to defend a perpetrator—a claim the scientist contests as unfounded.
–The hardest moment was recognizing how the school community reacted, including perceived rejection. The individual describes a mind spinning with questions about motive and loyalty, and recalls a former colleague reaching out only to check on their well-being without offering broad support.
–How far did the paranoia extend? There were disturbing moments, such as driving with intrusive thoughts about losing control and causing an accident, which highlighted the intense mental strain experienced during the investigation process.
–Did the Ministry of National Education reach out? Not in this timeline. Almost two years have passed without a direct contact, giving the impression that the authorities were not pursuing the specifics of what happened. Official statements indicated an intent to investigate, but the scientist’s account remains unheard by the authorities, with only the school’s version circulating widely.
–The question of whether formal support from Conselleria would have helped linger. A call from the regional education authority might have provided reassurance that the fallout was not justified. The individual felt abandoned until EL PERIÓDICO published the case, at which point supportive responses emerged from professional bodies such as the Official College of Technical Engineers in Computer Science of Catalonia (COETIC) and the Official College of Computer Engineers of Catalonia (COEINF).
–Two years on, there is relief alongside ongoing reflection. Psychological support aided recovery, and while work has resumed and a sense of calm returned, the experience left lingering questions. The journey has included healing, yet the burden of the ordeal remains a part of the personal narrative for those involved, and the worst has, for now, passed. The case continues to be addressed within the broader context of how educational institutions handle serious accusations against staff and how the rights to privacy and due process are balanced during investigations. [Citation: EL PERIÓDICO]