In recent months there have been several revelations of religious figures sexually abusing minors and members of their congregations, for instance the recent head of the Luz del Mundo Church, Naason Joaquin Garcia, currently being held without bond in Los Angeles. But now, rather than someone preying upon uneducated country folk and children, the “Pastor of the Rich” has been arrested on five counts of sexually abusing women, with a reported 50 more accusers yet to file charges.

Pastor Carlos Manuel Chavarria Fonseca, 58 years old, was arrested on Monday, accused of sexually abusing five women. He is the founder and spiritual leader of the Generacion 3:16 church, a church renowned for attracting rich and famous people. His congregants included politicians, athletes, TV stars, show business celebrities, foreigners, and most famously, former presidential candidate Fabricio Alvarado. Chavarria was arrested on Monday afternoon in Asuncion de Belen, by members of the OIJ.
Chavarria’s five accusers filed complaints against him individually, but the courts are prosecuting them together in one file. According to the Universidad Semanario, former religious congregation members of Generacion 3:16 claim that there are some 50 other church members who will also file complaints against Pastor Chavarria. Seven pastors who were his colleagues at Generacion 3:16 have cut ties with both the church and Chavarria.

Perhaps most amazingly, was the announcement on Monday by Carolina Malavassi, Chavarria’s second in command and director of two schools operated by the church, that she was withdrawing completely from G 3:16. Malavassi has been very active with Chavarria in the recent political campaign of Fabricio Alvarado’s bid for President. Malavassi stated, “For the respect for all my friends and relatives, I hereby inform you, that I am totally detached from the G 3:16 church, and deplore all the facts as reported.”
Generacion 3:16 church has 2,300 members in Costa Rica, and although Chavarria tended to keep a low profile in the public, he managed to exert great influence among celebrities, both Tico and foreigners. Chavarria has been accused, of indecent touching, insinuations, assault, and abuse by the five original alleged victims, who filed on July 9th and July 31st. More details cannot be released, as the case is still under investigation.
If convicted, Chavarria faces 2-4 years of incarceration for each count of sexual abuse. It is interesting to note the similarities between this case and the many of the Me Too Movement in the United States, that also tumbled men in positions of great power.

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