At least five women have come forward with allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Cristobal Lopez Romero, a 74-year-old Spanish prelate who has served as the Archbishop of Rabat, Morocco, since 2018. Once viewed by the National Catholic Review as a strong candidate for the highest position in the Church following the death of Pope Francis, Lopez Romero has denied committing any acts of aggression, violence, or sexual harassment, despite the testimonies revealed by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on July 7.
In response to the allegations, Lopez Romero has announced his decision to step back temporarily, stating in a letter to the diocese's faithful, "I am accused of inappropriate behavior towards adult women. This situation has led the Church to open a preliminary investigation. During this period of inquiry, in order not to hinder it, I will take a step back, refraining from presiding over any public celebrations or participating in pastoral activities."
Growing Accusations and a Culture of Silence
AFP spoke with Adélaïde (a pseudonym), a retired individual actively involved in the Church, who detailed repeated incidents of sexual assault that began in late 2024. She claimed to have reported these incidents "in part from the beginning" to the vicar general, Marc Helfer, who is the Archbishop's direct deputy, and later on April 22 directly to the apostolic nunciature via a letter addressed to the Vatican embassy in Morocco.
Additionally, AFP reviewed a handwritten account from another woman, submitted on May 9 to the same nunciature, wherein she accused the cardinal of engaging in "physical gestures" she found inappropriate, including "particularly prolonged and intense hugs" and an attempt at physical closeness that she interpreted as a potential kiss, which she narrowly avoided.
A source within the archdiocese also informed AFP that at least three other women have accused Cristobal Lopez Romero of "similar acts." However, the specific nature of these reports remains unverified by AFP. The ecclesiastical authorities have confirmed that they forwarded the received reports to the Vatican.
Lopez Romero, who is a member of two Vatican dicasteries and a former missionary in Paraguay—where he also acquired citizenship—is recognized for his commitment to interfaith dialogue. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019. According to the source within the archdiocese, who cited long-standing acquaintances of the bishop, similar behavior has been reported during his tenure in Paraguay and while serving as "provincial of the Salesians in Bolivia and Spain."
The Church's Response and Ongoing Challenges
The Catholic Church continues to grapple with decades of revelations regarding sexual violence perpetrated by clergy members and their subsequent cover-ups. Under Pope Francis's papacy (2013-2025), a zero-tolerance policy has been reaffirmed, and several reforms have been initiated to improve the handling of such reports. Nonetheless, criticism persists as victims and observers point to a continued culture of silence within the Church and the inconsistent application of these principles across different countries and dioceses. Marie Collins, an Irish abuse survivor whom Francis appointed to a Vatican commission to address such issues, resigned after three years in 2017, stating that some prelates continued to prioritize "other concerns" over the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
In her report to the apostolic nunciature in April, Adélaïde included a document dated October 2025 from vicar general Marc Helfer. He referenced the "acts committed" against her by Cristobal Lopez Romero and questioned the "relevance" of his continued position as bishop. While expressing a desire to "protect" both Adélaïde and the archbishop, he noted his decision to speak with the cardinal in hopes of helping him "modify his behavior toward women." Before the cardinal's shocking announcement on Tuesday, the vicar general confirmed he had discussed the situation with him and believed it should be investigated by the Church's internal authorities. "We do not know if the accusations truly constitute sexual assault," he remarked, adding, "We do not cover for anyone."
Nadia Debbache, a lawyer specializing in sexual violence, stated that the described incidents amount to "aggravated sexual harassment and aggravated sexual assault" for Adélaïde and "aggravated sexual harassment and attempted aggravated sexual assault" for the other woman, with the aggravation stemming from the presumed perpetrator's abuse of authority. This is not the first time the Church in Morocco—where Catholics represent a tiny fraction of the population—has been shaken by sexual violence allegations involving its clergy. In late September, the collective "La parole accueillie," which supports victims of sexual violence within the Church, criticized the lack of transparency from ecclesiastical authorities following the Yves Grosjean case.
The French priest, convicted in France for aggravated sexual assaults, served in Morocco from 2017 to 2024. Shortly after, new allegations arose against Father Antoine Exelmans, suspected of sexually exploiting migrant and refugee minors in Casablanca. As of now, no formal complaints have been filed with the Moroccan justice system. The Moroccan Penal Code stipulates aggravated penalties for such offenses, particularly when committed by a person in a position of authority. It also penalizes the failure to report a crime or an attempted crime.
As reported by humanite.fr.
