The Archbishop of Rabat, a leading figure of the progressive wing of the College of Cardinals, denies all aggression and announces that he will not preside over public celebrations or carry out pastoral activity while Rome investigates. The complaints, according to AFP, describe inappropriate behavior with adult women; in some cases, a relationship of authority or dependence could be involved.
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, Archbishop of Rabat, has withdrawn from his public duties this Tuesday while the Holy See investigates the complaints filed against him by five adult women. The news, first reported by the France Presse agency in a special investigation, has been confirmed by the cardinal himself in a statement released by the Archdiocese of Rabat.
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According to the information available so far, the accusations refer to inappropriate behavior toward adult women: “inappropriate” physical contact, “especially intense and prolonged hugs,” and, in one case, “an attempt to approach physically” to kiss the complainant. This is stated in the written complaint sent to the apostolic nunciature in Rabat, which AFP claims to have examined, along with the testimony of a retired woman linked to the Church. At least three other women reportedly claim to have experienced similar episodes.
There is no indication so far, according to what has been published, that the complaints involve minors or seminarians or clergy under his authority. These are complaints from adult women regarding conduct they describe as assault, which the cardinal denies: “I have not committed any violence, assault, or sexual harassment,” he stated.
In some cases, however, there could be an asymmetrical power or dependency relationship between the archbishop and the complainants, women connected to the local Church. This element—the possible abuse of authority—is what determines that conduct with adults may fall within the scope of the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi. It will be up to the investigation to clarify whether or not this occurred.
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