The Vatican has launched a formal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, the Archbishop of Rabat, after at least five women accused the senior Catholic cleric of inappropriate sexual behaviour, prompting him to temporarily withdraw from all public pastoral ministry while the inquiry proceeds.
The allegations, have raised fresh questions about the Catholic Church’s handling of misconduct claims involving senior clergy and the relationship between internal Church investigations and civil justice systems.
According to the information currently available, the accusations span multiple incidents reported through Church channels rather than Morocco’s criminal justice system. As of publication, no criminal complaint has been filed with Moroccan authorities.
Allegations emerge from multiple women
Among the women is one identified under the pseudonym “Adelaide,” who alleges she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by López Romero during 2024. She says she informed both the Apostolic Nunciature—the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Morocco—and Vicar General Marc Elfer, the archbishop’s principal deputy, about the alleged incidents.
A second woman reportedly submitted a written complaint to the Apostolic Nunciature in May 2025, alleging physical behaviour she considered inappropriate. AFP also cited a diocesan source who said at least three other women had raised similar concerns, although the precise nature of those additional reports has not been independently established.
While the allegations differ in their descriptions, together they were significant enough to trigger scrutiny within the Church and eventually a Vatican investigation.
Internal Church correspondence reveals growing concern
The timeline suggests Church officials became aware of the allegations well before they entered the public domain.
According to AFP, Vicar General Marc Elfer wrote to the Apostolic Nunciature in October 2025 regarding Adelaide’s allegations. In the correspondence, he questioned whether López Romero should remain in office and disclosed that he had previously spoken directly with the cardinal in an effort to address concerns about his conduct toward women.
The correspondence indicates that Church authorities were not only informed of the allegations but were also considering their implications for the archbishop’s leadership before the matter became public.
Archbishop denies allegations
López Romero has strongly rejected all accusations.
In a statement issued on July 7, he said he had committed neither sexual assault, sexual harassment nor any form of violence. While maintaining his innocence, he announced that he would suspend public liturgical and pastoral activities until the Vatican completes its investigation.
The cardinal said his temporary withdrawal was intended to ensure the inquiry proceeds without interference and should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
Church officials have stressed that the investigation remains ongoing.
Marc Elfer told AFP that the Church must establish the facts through its own investigative process and should not prejudge the outcome. Likewise, the Apostolic Nunciature confirmed that all reports received in Morocco had been forwarded to the Vatican while emphasising that the presumption of innocence must be respected until competent authorities determine the facts.
The Vatican has not publicly disclosed who is leading the investigation or when its findings may be released.
Civil and canon law remain separate
Although the Vatican has initiated an ecclesiastical investigation, the case has not entered Morocco’s criminal justice system.
A Vatican inquiry is conducted under canon law and focuses on whether a member of the clergy has violated Church rules and obligations. It does not replace or prevent criminal proceedings should allegations later be brought before civil authorities.
The absence of a police complaint means that, for now, the allegations are being examined solely through the Church’s internal processes.
Questions remain
The case leaves several issues unresolved, including the evidence supporting each allegation, the Church’s response after the first complaints were received, and why none of the women has pursued criminal proceedings in Morocco.
Equally significant is the timeline of events. The available information indicates that concerns were reported to Church authorities months before the archbishop stepped back from ministry, raising broader questions about institutional accountability and how allegations involving senior clergy are handled.
For now, the Vatican’s investigation will determine whether the allegations warrant disciplinary action under Church law. Until that process concludes, López Romero remains presumed innocent while the claims against him continue to be examined.
