Cardinal López Romero temporarily steps aside amid investigation

Vatican News

Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, SDB, Archbishop of Rabat, has announced that he is temporarily stepping back from public ministry while a preliminary Church investigation is conducted into allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward adult women.

In a statement released on Wednesday 7 July, the 74-year-old Spanish Cardinal said the investigation is now “in the hands of the Roman Catholic Church” and pledged his full cooperation. To avoid interfering with the process, he said he will refrain from presiding over public celebrations and participating in pastoral activities.

Acknowledging that the situation has caused distress and raised legitimate questions among the faithful, Cardinal López Romero asked for understanding and said the diocesan community should be informed without delay.

He also invited the faithful to pray for those who are suffering, for the Church in Morocco, and for himself, encouraging them to remain united and continue living the Gospel with confidence.

In a separate statement to AFP, the Cardinal reiterated his full cooperation with the investigation and said he had committed “no assault, no violence, and no sexual harassment.”