New Coadjutor Appointed for Rabat Diocese
Two months after the emergence of a scandal that led Cardinal Cristóbal López to step back voluntarily to avoid interfering with the decisions of the Holy See, a successor has been appointed for the Diocese of Rabat. Although this transition will not occur immediately, as the cardinal has just turned 74, the Holy See has officially named Mario León Dorado, the current apostolic administrator, as the coadjutor archbishop with succession rights.
Mario León Dorado was born on March 16, 1974, in Madrid, Spain. After completing his studies in computer science at the Faculty of Computer Science in Madrid, he earned a degree in Theology from the San Dámaso Faculty of Theology in Madrid. He made his first religious profession on September 15, 1996, in the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and was ordained a priest on June 2, 2001. Since 2013, he has served as the apostolic prefect of Western Sahara, and since July, he has been the apostolic administrator.
Context of the Scandal and Ongoing Investigations
The recent appointment does not imply any admission of guilt but allows the Diocese to continue its operations during a tumultuous time, both politically and religiously, in the region. Cardinal López has been accused of inappropriate behavior towards adult women, leading the Church to initiate a preliminary investigation that is currently underway with the Roman authorities. The cardinal has maintained his innocence, stating, "I can assure you that I have never committed assault, violence, or sexual harassment," as he expressed in July. According to reports, the alleged incidents occurred between 2009 and 2024, both in Morocco and in other countries where the cardinal served in ministry, including accusations of sexual assault, non-consensual touching, and abuse of spiritual authority. One of the complainants detailed in her communication to the Nunciature of Rabat that the cardinal engaged in "inappropriate" physical contact, including particularly intense and prolonged hugs, as well as an alleged attempt to kiss her.
Following these allegations, both the Diocese of Rabat and the Vatican commenced proceedings, with the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples appointing Mario León Dorado as the Apostolic Administrator of Rabat. From August 5 to 7, a delegation from Rome conducted an apostolic visit to the diocese, led by Bishop Hyacinthe Dione and Father Augustin Chako-Yodi. The purpose of the visit was to further investigate the allegations against Bishop Cristóbal and assess the diocese's economic, pastoral, and liturgical management.
The visiting team was able to meet with members of the Pastoral Coordination Council, the Presbytery Council, those who had lodged complaints against López Romero, and other individuals wishing to speak with them. They returned to Rome on August 8 to continue their inquiry and work towards a resolution. While Cardinal López was scheduled to provide his explanations in Rome this September, various circumstances, including the death of Cardinal Tagle’s father and his subsequent travel to the Philippines, have postponed his testimony. With the appointment of the coadjutor, the focus shifts towards the future of the Diocese of Rabat, as Father Mario familiarizes himself with the diocese and begins organizing his agenda.
As reported by religiondigital.org.
