Pope Leo has accepted the resignation of Bishop Rafael Zornoza of Spain, who is under investigation for an alleged sexual abuse case involving a teenage boy in the 1990s. The bishop, who denies the allegation, led the Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta on Spain’s southern coast since 2011 and is the first Spanish Catholic bishop publicly known to face such a Vatican investigation.
The Vatican issued a brief statement on Saturday confirming that Pope Leo had accepted the resignation, without referencing the abuse allegation. At 76 years old, Zornoza had surpassed the traditional retirement age for Catholic bishops. The diocese confirmed that a Church tribunal, convened at the Vatican’s embassy in Madrid, is investigating the claims.
The Catholic Church, with 1.4 billion members worldwide, has faced decades of abuse scandals, which have severely damaged its credibility and prompted widespread calls for accountability. Since his election in May, Pope Leo has met twice with survivor groups to address the legacy of abuse and to signal a commitment to transparency.
The resignation of Bishop Zornoza marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort by the Vatican to confront abuse allegations within its hierarchy, highlighting the continuing challenges faced by the Church in restoring trust and ensuring accountability.
