Cardinal Cristobal Romero Archbishop of Rabat and, as a "Bergoglian," one of the most ardent defenders of documents such as Amoris laetitia and Fiducia supplicans, is facing allegations of sexual abuse. The Vatican has initiated a preliminary investigation.
[Katholisches ] The Spanish Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero is of the best-known representatives of Pope Francis's church-political course in the Hispanic world and a staunch defender of both Amoris laetitia and Fiducia supplicans is facing serious allegations. A preliminary investigation by the Holy See is underway against the Archbishop of Rabat after at least five women accused him of sexual assault or inappropriate behavior.
Cristobal Lopez Romero, a Salesian, was appointed Archbishop of Rabat in Morocco by Francis in 2017. In 2019, Francis created him a cardinal.
Consequently, Lopez Romero has been one of the most prominent Bergoglian figures within the College of Cardinals in recent years. He defended the opening toward remarried divorcees and other irregular unions in the spirit of Amoris laetitia, as well as the Vatican declaration Fiducia supplicans, which allows for the blessing of same-sex couples. During the 2025 conclave, his name was even mentioned among the papabili in progressive circles.
Since 2022, he has served as the President of the North African Bishops' Conference. Under his leadership, this bishops' conference”which is limited to the Arab-Berber-Egyptian north of African”stood by Pope Francis as the only part of Africa to do so when Sub-Saharan Africa unanimously opposed same-sex blessings.
Now, this prominent representative of the Francis line has himself become the focus of an investigation.
According to research by the news agency AFP, at least five women have accused the 74-year-old cardinal of sexual misconduct. The allegations range from repeated sexual assaults to intrusive physical advances. AFP bases its report on the statements of several affected individuals as well as information from within the archdiocese.
One woman, who was active in church work for years, told the agency of repeated sexual assaults. Her full testimony has not yet been published for privacy reasons. Another woman submitted a written statement to the Apostolic Nunciature in Rabat. In it, she describes "physical gestures" that she felt were inappropriate, including particularly prolonged hugs and an attempt to kiss her against her will. According to a source within the archdiocese, at least three other women have reported similar experiences, some of them during confession.
The Vatican has since launched a canonical preliminary investigation. In response, Lopez Romero declared that he would withdraw from the public exercise of his office until the investigation is completed. He will no longer lead public worship services and will not perform any pastoral duties for the time being so as not to interfere with the investigation.
The Cardinal firmly rejects the allegations. Speaking to AFP and the Spanish news agency EFE, he stated that he had committed "neither aggression, nor violence, nor sexual harassment." He is cooperating fully with the responsible church authorities in Rome.
According to Moroccan judicial authorities, no criminal complaint has been filed against the Archbishop with the country's state authorities so far. The investigation is currently limited to the canonical proceedings of the Holy See.
Lopez Romero comes from Almerma, belongs to the Salesians of Don Bosco, and spent nearly two decades as a missionary in Paraguay, whose citizenship he later adopted. After spending further years in Bolivia, Pope Francis dispatched him to Rabat as Archbishop.
Leo XIV also promoted the Spaniard. On June 24, 2025, he appointed him a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and on April 9, 2026, a member of the Dicastery for Communication.
The case adds to the ongoing, non-stop series of abuse and cover-up scandals that have shaken the Catholic Church since the post-conciliar era. Although a policy of "zero tolerance” first proclaimed by Benedict XVI”was repeatedly reaffirmed under the pontificate of Francis, but the Argentine Pope repeatedly counteracted his own measures. The allegations raised against one of the best-known champions of his reform course now lends the case a particular church-political volatility.
Until the conclusion of the Vatican investigation, the presumption of innocence applies.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG
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