صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
Rabat –The Archbishop of Rabat, the Spanish Cardinal, announcedCristobal Lopez RomeroTemporarily suspending all of his official activities, following accusations of sexual harassment and assault against him by a number of women, in a case that sparked widespread interest within church and media circles.
According to what was revealed by the agencyAFPAt least five women have submitted testimonies accusing the 74-year-old Cardinal of committing inappropriate behavior and assaults of a sexual nature, while Romero categorically denied all the accusations, stressing that he “did not commit any assault, violence, or sexual harassment.”
The Cardinal indicated, in an official statement, that the Church had initiated a preliminary investigation into the accusations, explaining that he had decided to temporarily step away from his duties and not preside over any church celebrations or activities until the investigation was completed, in order to preserve the integrity of the procedures.
According to the agency, one of the women, who previously worked in the Rabat Church, confirmed that she had informed church officials of what she had been exposed to, before she filed a complaint with the Vatican Embassy in Rabat during April 2026. Other testimonies also included accusations of attempts at physical closeness and behaviors described as inappropriate.
On the other hand, the Attorney General of the Archdiocese of Rabat, Mark Helfer, confirmed that the file had been referred to the competent authorities in the Vatican, explaining that up to now no official complaint had been registered before the Moroccan judiciary.
Romero is considered one of the most prominent church figures, as his name was put forward among the potential candidates to succeed Pope Francis before the election of the current Pope. He is also known for his positions in support of interfaith dialogue and his involvement in a number of humanitarian initiatives.
This case brings back to the forefront the ongoing debate regarding the Catholic Church’s handling of sexual assault cases, at a time when the Vatican affirms its commitment to continuing investigations and respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence until all procedures are completed and final results are issued.
Source:“My press”
