The Archdiocese of Rabat already has an apostolic administrator while the preliminary investigation opened against Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero continues over accusations of alleged sexual abuse and inappropriate conduct made by five adult women. The decision, however, has not been announced by the Holy See through the Bollettino, the usual channel for communicating this type of appointment.
The appointment was made known by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), the congregation to which Monsignor Mario León Dorado belongs, and later confirmed by ACI Prensa, which claims to have had access to the decree sent by the Apostolic Nunciature in Morocco through a letter signed by the apostolic nuncio, Monsignor Alfred Xuereb, dated August 1. In its statement, the Oblates announced that “the Holy See has appointed Monsignor Mario León Dorado, OMI, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Rabat, Morocco” and noted that he will exercise this responsibility “in communion with the Holy See and at its discretion.”
He will govern the archdiocese for the duration of the investigation
The figure of the apostolic administrator sede plena is used when the titular bishop remains at the head of a diocese but cannot temporarily exercise pastoral governance. In these circumstances, the Holy See entrusts the ordinary administration of the diocese to another bishop or priest until the situation that prompted the measure is resolved.
In this way, Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero retains the title of Archbishop of Rabat, but ceases to exercise the powers of governance, which are provisionally transferred to Monsignor Mario León Dorado.
López Romero stepped away from public ministry
In early July, the cardinal announced that he was temporarily withdrawing from all public and pastoral activity following the opening of a preliminary investigation by the Holy See. The accusations, revealed by the AFP agency, refer to alleged inappropriate behavior with adult women that occurred between 2009 and 2024 in Morocco and in other countries where he carried out his ministry.
In a statement released at the time, López Romero defended his innocence and assured his full cooperation with the investigation. “I have not committed any aggression, nor violence or sexual harassment,” he stated, explaining that he had decided to “take a step back” so as not to interfere in the development of the process.
A missionary with long experience in North Africa
Monsignor Mario León Dorado belongs to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and is currently apostolic prefect of Laayún-Sahara in Western Sahara.
Ordained a priest in 2001, he has been carrying out his missionary work in North Africa for nearly twenty-five years. On a provisional basis, he will now assume the governance of the Archdiocese of Rabat until the Holy See concludes the investigation into Cardinal López Romero and makes a definitive decision regarding his situation.