The Holy See has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Rafael Zornoza Boy from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta (Spain). The official announcement appears in the Holy See's bulletin.
The decision comes after days of speculation about his departure. Zornoza submitted his resignation upon turning 75 years old—as stipulated by canon 401 § 1—and remained in office under a prorogation status.
His departure is framed within the opening of a canonical investigation by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith against the prelate for alleged sexual abuse of a minor when he was performing training tasks at the Getafe seminary (Madrid) in the 1990s.
New Apostolic Administrator
The Holy See has appointed Mons. Ramón Darío Valdivia Giménez, auxiliary bishop of Seville, as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta.
The announcement was confirmed by the Diocese of Seville through its official X account, where it reported on the assignment received by Valdivia while the Gaditan see remains vacant.
With the diocese now under temporary administration, Rome will have to discern the appointment of the next bishop who will assume full pastoral responsibility for Cádiz and Ceuta.