Cardinal López Romero Addresses Succession and Ongoing Inquiry
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, the archbishop of Rabat, has recently communicated to the Catholic community in Rabat regarding the serious allegations of sexual assault leveled against him, expressing his anticipation for a Vatican hearing related to these accusations. In a heartfelt letter dated September 12, which he described as being written 'from Spain but close in heart,' the cardinal also shared the news of Father Mario León Dorado's appointment as coadjutor archbishop. This new role signifies that Dorado will permanently serve the diocese following a brief tenure as apostolic administrator that commenced in early August.
In his correspondence, López Romero expressed great joy and immense gratitude towards Pope Leo for the appointment, which he noted was a request made well before the current allegations came to light. The cardinal traced the origins of this request back to late 2024, when he initially proposed the idea of appointing a coadjutor to Pope Francis. Following the pope's passing, he reiterated this request to Pope Leo in October 2025, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of leadership within the diocese.
Details Surrounding the Investigation and Future Leadership
López Romero clarified the implications of the coadjutor's role, explaining that Dorado would automatically succeed him as the pastor of the diocese upon the acceptance of his resignation, which is expected to be submitted by May 2027, coinciding with his 75th birthday. As the sixth titular archbishop of Rabat, Dorado follows a line of notable predecessors, including Lefebvre and Chabert.
Towards the end of his letter, the cardinal addressed the ongoing investigation concerning the allegations against him. He stated, 'For my part, I remain waiting to be heard by the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples, which oversees our diocese, to explain myself regarding the investigation that has led me to withdraw from diocesan life.' He urged the faithful to welcome Dorado with joy and an open heart amidst these challenging circumstances.
The allegations, which became public in early July, involve multiple claims from at least five women accusing López Romero of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior spanning from 2009 to 2024, both in Morocco and during his previous assignments in Paraguay and Bolivia. The reported accusations include non-consensual touching and the misuse of spiritual authority, with one woman recounting particularly intrusive encounters.
Despite the serious nature of these claims, López Romero has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he has engaged in 'neither aggression nor violence nor sexual harassment.' He has temporarily stepped back from his public and pastoral responsibilities to avoid hindering the Vatican's preliminary inquiry into the accusations. The investigation, overseen by the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples, has progressed throughout the summer, with apostolic visits conducted to gather testimonies and review the management of the diocese.
Father Mario León Dorado, who has dedicated over two decades of service in Western Sahara, has expressed his mixed feelings about the appointment, stating that he welcomes it 'with joy, but also with fear and trembling.' His background includes a bachelor's degree in theology and significant pastoral experience, preparing him for the challenges that lie ahead as he steps into this pivotal role.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
