Ongoing Crisis in the Catholic Church in Morocco
The Catholic Church in Morocco finds itself embroiled in yet another sensitive scandal. Following the allegations against the Archbishop of Rabat, Cristobal Lopez Romero, a priest from the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes parish in Casablanca, André Kemaleu, is now facing accusations from a young woman who claims he raped her in 2026. The Church has stated that an internal investigation did not substantiate the claims, while the Vatican continues its own inquiries concerning the Archbishop of Rabat.
Accusations Escalate and Investigations Intensify
The young woman, originally from sub-Saharan Africa, confided in a nun and a member of the clergy during the spring. Her testimony was subsequently relayed to the Archbishop of Rabat, and eventually, a whistleblower forwarded it to the Apostolic Nunciature, which serves as the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Morocco. This development comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Morocco is already facing turmoil due to the accusations against its Archbishop.
On August 4, two investigators appointed by the Vatican traveled to Rabat to continue their examination of the allegations against Cristobal Lopez Romero. Multiple women have accused him of sexual violence or inappropriate conduct. Two complainants were interviewed at the Nunciature—one via phone and the other in person. Their written testimonies had been submitted to the relevant authorities at the Holy See several months prior.
Meanwhile, the collective "Zero Tolerance," which includes victims and whistleblowers from Morocco and Europe, has denounced what it describes as attempts to sideline individuals involved in the revelations. According to the organization, a whistleblower was denied access to their office at the archbishopric after the lock was changed, while another was reportedly encouraged to take a sabbatical year. Notably, two of the five women accusing the Archbishop have permanently left Morocco.
Cristobal Lopez Romero has denied the allegations against him, asserting that he has committed no aggression, violence, or harassment. He has yet to be interviewed by the Vatican investigators. Although he remains officially the Archbishop of Rabat, the administration of the diocese has been handed over since August 1 to Mario Leon Dorado, the Apostolic Prefect of Laâyoune, who has been appointed as the interim administrator. This situation revives memories of previous cases involving priests who served in Morocco, including Antoine Exelmans, who admitted to committing sexual violence, and Yves Grosjean, who is being pursued in France for accusations of sexual assault against minors.
As reported by quid.ma.
