Cardinal Romero Suspends Public Ministry Amid Serious Allegations
The Archbishop of Rabat, Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, a prominent Spanish cardinal, announced on Tuesday his decision to temporarily withdraw from public ministry as the Roman Catholic Church initiates an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior directed towards adult women. At 74 years old and a member of the Salesian order, Romero's announcement comes in the wake of revelations from Agence France-Presse (AFP), which reported that at least five women have accused him of sexual misconduct. These claims, which AFP states were presented in complaints to the Vatican embassy in Morocco, have prompted a preliminary investigation by the Church.
In a statement released by the Rabat archdiocese on Wednesday, Romero acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He remarked, "I am accused of inappropriate behavior towards adult women, which has led the Church to open a preliminary investigation. This investigation is ongoing, and I am cooperating fully with it." In his statement, he also expressed his intent to step back from public celebrations and pastoral activities to avoid any interference with the investigation.
Details of the Allegations and Context
Among the allegations, one woman submitted a written complaint to the Vatican embassy in May, which AFP has cited as evidence. In her account, she described instances of "particularly insistent and prolonged hugs" and an attempted kiss that she narrowly evaded. A source within the archdiocese has indicated that there are at least five similar reports of misconduct against Romero. In a written response to AFP, Romero firmly denied any wrongdoing, stating, "I have committed neither assault nor violence nor sexual harassment." Nevertheless, sources have indicated that individuals close to the cardinal reported similar behaviors during his missionary work in South America, raising concerns about a "culture of complicity and silence" among his associates.
While no criminal charges have been filed in Morocco concerning these allegations, the legal implications are serious, given that strict penalties exist for such offenses, especially when committed by individuals in positions of authority. The North African nation also criminalizes sexual activity outside of marriage, although enforcement is often lax for foreigners. As a member of the College of Cardinals, the responsibility for the preliminary investigation lies with the Holy See, which is required to conclude its inquiries within a 90-day timeframe.
Cardinal Romero, once seen as a potential papal candidate following the passing of Pope Francis last year, has built a reputation as a dedicated "street priest" during his tenure, leading the Salesians in various countries, including Bolivia, Paraguay, and Spain. Despite being viewed favorably by many Latin Americans and African bishops for his pastoral outreach to migrants, he publicly declared a lack of ambition for the papacy, stating he would prefer to "flee to Sicily" if elected. The current allegations, however, mark a significant turning point in his career and public perception.
As reported by cruxnow.com.
