Jurado faced serious allegations in 2025 of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate messaging with adult women (which he admitted) and grooming a minor (which he denied). His bishop restricted him from public ministry events pending investigation, and major Catholic platforms distanced themselves.
Despite this, Jurado reportedly resumed public activity, including behind a Patreon paywall, without public clearance from his bishop. He now appears at a Protestant service, raising questions about his commitment to Catholic teaching.
Bad Optics and Implications
This creates poor optics for several reasons:
- A public figure caught in grave public sin (lust and scandal) should step back for repentance and restoration, ideally under ecclesiastical guidance. Returning quickly, especially without episcopal statement, downplays the gravity of sins that damaged his credibility as an apologist and catechist.
- Attending Protestant services, particularly when invited by a podcaster like Davila, suggests Jurado may be softening on core Catholic doctrines (e.g., the Eucharist, papal authority, Marian dogmas) that he once defended vigorously.
- It appears Davila exploits the scandal for content views, potentially drawing a vulnerable Jurado away from the Catholic Church during his crisis. This risks portraying Catholicism as interchangeable with Protestantism, confusing followers and undermining ecumenism's goal of unity in truth.
Catholic Teaching on Attending Protestant Services
The Catholic Church permits limited attendance at non-Catholic services for reasons like family events or civility, but cautions against actions implying indifference to doctrinal differences or full communion.
- The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) states in n. 118: Catholics may participate in psalms, responses, hymns, and common actions as guests, but must avoid suggesting no real separation exists. It never substitutes for Mass obligation.
- Catholics cannot receive "communion" in Protestant services, as it falsely signals unity where none exists fully (Canon 844, Code of Canon Law).
- Regular or active participation risks scandal, perversion of faith, or indifferentism.
True ecumenism seeks full communion in Catholic truth, not blending worship that obscures differences (Unitatis Redintegratio, Vatican II).
Jurado even stated publicly that he would go again. This is troublesome and scandalous. For an apologist who debated Protestants and engaged their content to be attending a Protestant sect service and then saying he will go again, this is validating the sect and its heresies.
This is the same Jurado who said he would excommunicate Taylor Marshall if he could. While Marshall has some strange views and distorts Catholicism, he would most likely never attend a Protestant service.
Pray for Jurado's authentic repentance, return to full Catholic practice under his bishop's guidance, and that any outreach remains rooted in the Church's fullness of faith. He may be "testing the waters" and might be lured away.
Sources:
- Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993): https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/documenti/testo-in-inglese.html
- Code of Canon Law, Canon 844: https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib3-cann833-911_en.html
- Vatican II, Unitatis Redintegratio (Decree on Ecumenism): https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html
- Reports on Jurado allegations: Catholic News Agency, OSV News, Catholic World Report (2025 articles).
