Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero Steps Aside as Vatican Opens Sexual Assault Investigation
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero Steps Aside as Vatican Opens Sexual Assault Investigation
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, the Archbishop of Rabat in Morocco, has temporarily stepped back from his official duties after multiple women accused him of sexual assault, prompting the Vatican to open a preliminary investigation into the allegations.
The 74-year-old Spanish-born cardinal announced his decision to withdraw from public ministry while the inquiry is underway, saying he intends to cooperate fully with Church authorities. López Romero has strongly denied all allegations, insisting he has committed no assault, violence, or sexual harassment.
According to reports, at least five women have accused the cardinal of inappropriate sexual conduct. One complainant reportedly submitted a written complaint to the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Morocco, alleging repeated unwanted physical contact, including prolonged embraces and an attempted kiss. Other women are said to have made similar allegations, leading to increased scrutiny within the Catholic Church.
The Vatican has launched a preliminary investigation to determine the validity of the claims. Church officials have not announced any disciplinary measures beyond the cardinal’s voluntary decision to step aside during the investigation.
López Romero, who has served as Archbishop of Rabat since 2017 and was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2019, said he remains committed to cooperating fully with investigators until the process is concluded.
