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A Spanish-born Catholic cardinal who was widely considered a contender to succeed Pope Francis has temporarily stepped aside from his pastoral duties after being accused by at least five women of sexual assault, in a case that has reignited scrutiny over the Church's handling of abuse allegations involving high-ranking clergy. Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, the 74-year-old Archbishop of Rabat, Morocco, announced his decision on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, following an investigation by Agence France-Presse that revealed multiple accounts of inappropriate behaviour spanning several countries and years.
The cardinal, a member of the Salesian order known for his work with the poor, has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, stating in a written response to AFP: "I have committed neither assault nor violence nor sexual harassment." However, he admitted he had been "accused of inappropriate behaviour towards adult women," acknowledging that the Church had opened a preliminary investigation into the matter. In a letter to his diocese, López Romero said he would refrain from presiding over public celebrations or participating in pastoral activities to avoid hindering the inquiry. "I am fully aware of the difficulties this is causing and the legitimate questions it may raise," he wrote, asking for prayers for the Church and for himself.
The allegations, first reported by AFP, include a written complaint filed in May 2026 with the Vatican embassy in Rabat. In it, a woman accused the cardinal of "particularly insistent and prolonged hugs" and "an attempt at physical intimacy that could be likened to an attempt" to kiss her, which she said she "barely managed" to avoid. Another accuser, a retired woman active in the Church, described repeated sexual assaults, according to sources. A diocesan source told AFP that at least three other women have come forward with similar accounts, some of which were reportedly made during confession. The accusations are said to span the period from 2009 to 2024 and are alleged to have occurred in Morocco and other countries where the cardinal served as a missionary.
Cardinal López Romero, born in Almería, Spain, and naturalised as a Paraguayan citizen, was a prominent figure in the 2025 conclave that followed the death of Pope Francis. He was hailed by some Vatican watchers and fellow cardinals as a potential successor, with one Catholic publication describing his "personal biography of bridge-building cultures and continents" as making him "a compelling contender for the church's top job." However, he withdrew from the conclave just days before the voting, stating he had "absolutely no ambition" to be pope and joking that "if I am elected, I will flee to Sicily."
The cardinal's deputy, Vicar General Marc Helfer, defended the Church's procedures, insisting, "We are not covering up for anyone," while questioning whether the reported acts "really amount to sexual assault." However, a source within the archdiocese condemned what it called "a culture of complicity and silence" among those around the cardinal, accusing close associates of helping to protect him and noting that similar behaviour had been reported during his time as a missionary in South America.
While no criminal complaints have been filed in Morocco, Moroccan lawyer Nadia Debbache, a specialist in sexual violence, said the acts alleged could constitute "aggravated sexual harassment and aggravated sexual assault" due to the abuse of authority by the alleged perpetrator. Moroccan law imposes heavier sentences for such crimes committed by persons in positions of authority and can also punish failure to report a crime.
The Vatican has not publicly commented on the investigation, but the cardinal confirmed that the case is in the hands of the Holy See's competent authorities. The Catholic Church, long plagued by abuse scandals, has been criticised for failing to adequately address allegations of misconduct by clergy. The case of Cardinal López Romero, a figure who once stood at the threshold of the papacy, represents one of the most significant abuse allegations against a high-ranking cardinal in recent years. For now, the cardinal has stepped back, the investigation continues, and the women who have come forward await a reckoning.
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