In an act of transparency and commitment to its mission, the International Academy of Catholic Leaders reaffirmed its vocation of service and formation in the Social Doctrine of the Church, following the meeting of its Board of Directors held on March 27, 2025.

The recent events affecting the institution were addressed with seriousness and responsibility during the session. With a deep sense of gratitude, the irrevocable resignation of its founder and current Executive Director, José Antonio Rosas Amor, was accepted. He leaves behind a legacy of effort and dedication that has been key to the consolidation of the Academy.

The Board also carefully reviewed the situations surrounding some of its members and reaffirmed its support for the honorability of Dr. Rodrigo Guerra López, denying the accusations against him. The Academy has called on the media and the public not to contribute to the defamation of people committed to the Church and its intellectual work.

This moment of reflection has led the Board of Directors to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening unity and dialogue within the institution. The Academy remains steadfast in its goal of accompanying and forming leaders committed to the common good, in faithful adherence to the Magisterium of the Church and the teachings of Pope Francis.

With renewed courage, the Academy invites all those who have contributed to its growth to continue their work, trusting that this process of renewal will be an opportunity to consolidate its mission and more strongly project its impact on society. United in faith and service, the Academy prepares for a new stage of commitment to the formation of Catholic leaders for the service of the world.

Full text of the statement:

Statement from the Board of Trustees of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders

At its meeting held on March 27, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders addressed with regret the recent events that have affected our institution. We deeply regret that internal situations have spilled into the public eye, weakening the image and unity of the Academy.

During the meeting, the irrevocable resignation of our founder and current Executive Director, José Antonio Rosas Amor, was accepted. The members of the Board accept his apologies and express their sincere gratitude for his work and commitment over these years, which have been fundamental to the growth and consolidation of the Academy.

In the broader context of recent tensions, the majority of the Board has carefully reviewed the situation involving Dr. Rodrigo Guerra López. After evaluating the available evidence, we find there is no evidence to support the accusations of alleged current membership in El Yunque or the use of said affiliation as a strategy for ecclesiastical influence. We have also learned the very personal background of Mr. Rodrigo Guerra López, which leads the Council to support Dr. Guerra’s honorability and good faith, recognizing his intellectual and ecclesiastical career in service to the Church.

Particularly significant is that Dr. Rodrigo Guerra López has shared with the Council members his experience of having suffered unspeakable humiliation, physical abuse, and conscience abuse at the hands of some members of El Yunque, and that he has reported this to the competent ecclesiastical authority. Given the nature of these humiliations, we urge all media outlets to withdraw any information that defames and/or slanders this distinguished member of the Academy, who deserves the utmost respect for his dignity and privacy, and to cease any campaigns to discredit him. Anyone who, knowingly aware of these facts, publicly exposes a victim of violence seriously violates her dignity and fundamental rights. We are saddened that Rocco Buttiglione’s honor has also been called into question.

The Board of Directors is currently evaluating the future of the Academy and the steps to take to ensure that we remain faithful to our mission: to accompany and educate those who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Social Doctrine of the Church and discover their vocation for public service.

We raise our prayers to God, asking for enlightenment for all parties involved in this conflict, and we trust that the doubts that have arisen regarding our work will soon be dispelled. The Academy remains committed to dialogue and the search for spaces of communion, always in respect and support of the Church and the teachings of the Popes. We hope that the current differences and insinuations will soon be overcome, allowing us to resume with renewed vigor the mission of the Academy of Catholic Leaders.

We call upon all those who, in the most diverse capacities, have contributed to the success of the Academy to continue their vocation of service in this work, bringing us closer to the teachings of Pope Francis, who exhorts us to be missionary disciples.

Sincerely,

Board of Trustees of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders:

Card. Carlos Aguiar Retes

Paola Binetti Rocco Buttiglione

Rodrigo Guerra López

Cristian Nazer

Mario J. Paredes

Cardinal Christophe Pierre

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez

Alejandra Segura

Enrique Segura