Vatican Accepts Resignation of Spanish Bishop Accused of Abuse

Vatican Accepts Resignation of Spanish Bishop Accused of Abuse
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The Vatican has accepted the resignation of Bishop Rafael Zornoza after allegations of sexually abusing a minor surfaced, marking one of the most consequential abuse-linked episcopal resignations in Spain and reflecting a broader shift in the Church’s handling of misconduct cases.

More details in the following report:

The Vatican has formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Rafael Zornoza of Cádiz and Ceuta following the launch of a canonical investigation into allegations that he sexually abused a minor in the 1990s. Pope Leo XIV approved the resignation while confirming that an independent Church review will proceed.

The accusations, brought forward by a former seminarian, allege repeated abuse beginning when the complainant was 14. Spanish media reports indicate that the case was elevated to the Vatican earlier this year, and local church authorities have acknowledged that Zornoza suspended his public duties. The diocese has denied the allegations but stated that the bishop is cooperating with investigators.

Zornoza had initially submitted his resignation upon turning 75, in line with Church protocol. However, the Vatican did not act on it until the allegations became public through El País, prompting renewed scrutiny of episcopal accountability in Spain.

The case unfolds against the backdrop of a wider reckoning within the Spanish Church. A 2023 ombudsman report estimated hundreds of thousands of potential abuse survivors, and the Church’s own 2024 audit identified hundreds of accused clergy dating back to 1945. Efforts to compensate victims and implement new safeguards have accelerated amid political and public pressure.

There is precedent for bishops stepping down over abuse allegations or mishandling cases, particularly in Poland and Belgium, where several prelates resigned following canonical inquiries. However, Zornoza’s resignation is significant as one of the first in Spain directly linked to a publicly acknowledged investigation of a sitting bishop.

Observers view the Vatican’s response as part of a gradual but notable shift toward greater transparency and accountability in cases involving senior clergy.