Spanish priest Xavier Zabaleta has been provisionally suspended from all public ministry in the French diocese of Bayona after a complaint of alleged sexual abuse of a minor became known. The measure was announced by Bishop Marc Aillet after the religious appeared before the French police as part of an investigation opened in the city of Béziers.
A native of San Sebastián and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—known as the Fathers of Timon David—he has been serving since 2022 in the town of Urrugne, in the French Basque Country. The faithful learned of his suspension during Sunday Mass, when a substitute priest read a statement from the Bishop of Bayona explaining the situation.
The complaint was initially reported by the Archbishop of Montpellier
According to information published by Sud-Ouest, the reported incidents date back several years, when the priest resided in Béziers, in the French region of Occitania. The first complaint to the authorities is said to have been filed in June 2024 by the Archbishop of Montpellier.
The diocese of Bayona has explained that it was not aware of the situation until March 11. According to the same source, the Béziers Public Prosecutor’s Office specifically requested that discretion be maintained so as not to compromise the ongoing investigation or alert the priest before his police appearance.
That appearance took place on June 3. Two days later, Bishop Marc Aillet formally informed the diocesan clergy of the measures taken and the steps followed by the diocese after learning of the complaint.
Bayona informed the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
In a letter addressed to priests and deacons, Bishop Aillet stated that he had initiated “the usual procedures, both civil and canonical, as soon as he became aware of these facts.”
He also explained that the diocese had contacted the Béziers Public Prosecutor’s Office and had forwarded the information to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Holy See body responsible for examining cases of sexual abuse committed by clergy.
Removed from all public ministry
While the investigations continue, Xavier Zabaleta has been removed from any public pastoral activity. The diocese has also clarified that he may not exercise the ministry of confession while the precautionary measures remain in force.
Furthermore, the collaboration agreement that allowed the priest to carry out his ministry in the diocese of Bayona has ended. As a result, the religious has returned to Béziers under the responsibility of his religious congregation.
The diocese emphasizes the presumption of innocence
In its official statement, the diocese of Bayona has reiterated its willingness to fully cooperate with the judicial authorities to clarify the reported facts.
At the same time, it has recalled that the priest retains the presumption of innocence until there is a final ruling on the case. The investigation remains open in both the civil and ecclesiastical spheres, pending a determination by the competent authorities regarding the scope and veracity of the accusations made against the Spanish religious.