Lorraine Williamson
A complex and deeply sensitive chapter has opened for the Catholic Church in Spain. The Vatican continues examining the Cádiz bishop abuse investigation involving Rafael Zornoza. What began as a single complaint dating back to the 1990s has now escalated into the first known canonical inquiry into a serving Spanish bishop over alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
The case has triggered debates about transparency, due process, and the Church’s response to historic allegations long after criminal limitation periods expire.
In Rome on Monday, the leadership of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) briefed Pope León XIV on the unfolding situation. The conversation, held inside the Apostolic Palace and lasting around an hour, centred on the health of the Church in Spain—but the Zornoza matter inevitably dominated.
A resignation already filed — but still unresolved
Zornoza formally submitted his resignation last year upon turning 75, as required by canon law. Normally, bishops remain in post for some years after that point unless age, health or Vatican discretion accelerate their departure. His case, however, now sits in a grey zone. The complaint became public only last week, despite being known to Church authorities since early summer.
Spanish bishops initially suggested that his exit was imminent, even hinting it could have been finalised last Friday. But Vatican timelines rarely match domestic expectations. As Luis Argüello, president of the CEE, noted in Rome, the Holy See “does not like having its agenda dictated”. For now, the Pope’s acceptance remains possible but undecided.
A slow-moving process under scrutiny
The canonical investigation, handled by the Tribunal of the Rota and acting through the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Spain, has been open for just fifteen days. That delay—four months after the allegations surfaced internally—has prompted criticism. Argüello defended the pace, arguing that “guarantees” require careful verification of both the allegations and the right to presumption of innocence.
The Spanish Church, he stressed, recognises two parallel rights: the right of victims to bring forward legitimate complaints, and the right of the accused to due process. Balancing both is a challenge that institutions worldwide have struggled to resolve.
Yet the case sits uneasily beside recent recommendations from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which urged faster removal or suspension of Church officials facing credible allegations. The report, published last month, called for simplified protocols to limit harm and preserve credibility.
Historic allegation, canonical impact
The complaint against Zornoza relates to events more than three decades ago when he served as a priest in Getafe and directed the diocesan seminary. Civil prosecution is impossible due to the time elapsed. Canon law, however, allows the Vatican to consider serious cases even if long prescribed.
This represents the first time Spain has publicly confronted the canonical investigation of a bishop for alleged abuse. For Pope León XIV—still in his first year—it is an early test of his approach to safeguarding and accountability, issues that shaped much of the papacy of Francis but left many critics unsatisfied.
Spanish Church hopes for a papal visit
Despite the tension surrounding the case, the CEE delegation used its trip to Rome to raise broader pastoral concerns. They extended an invitation for the Pope to visit Spain—something previous invitations failed to secure under Francis.
Their suggestions ranged from the Canary Islands, where migration dominates social debate, to Barcelona, once the Sagrada Familia works conclude. Rural Spain, facing demographic decline and parish shortages, was also proposed.
Following a separate meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop José Cobo presented the latest plans to reinterpret Cuelgamuros, the former Valley of the Fallen, signalling the Church’s willingness to engage in wider historical memory discussions.
Victim reparation and the PRIVA framework
Argüello outlined to the Pope the progress of PRIVA, the Spanish Church’s plan for prevention, training, and victim support launched over a year ago. The Vatican offered encouragement and acknowledged the Church’s reparation commission, which handles cases that are prescribed or involve deceased clergy.
Its existence reflects an overdue shift in approach: until recently, the Spanish Church faced accusations of slow action and insufficient cooperation with external investigations. This new model is now being tested under intense public attention.
A bishop in the spotlight
Zornoza has denied the accusations, previously calling them “false” and suspending his public agenda to “clarify the facts”. He also revealed he is undergoing treatment for cancer, a detail disclosed only after the story surfaced.
Whether the Vatican chooses to expedite his departure or wait for the investigation’s outcome remains unclear. Another option—temporary removal as a precautionary measure—has not been enacted either by Rome or by the Archdiocese of Sevilla, which first received the complaint before transferring the inquiry to the Rota.
A turning point for the Church in Spain
The case lands at a critical moment. Spanish bishops convene their plenary assembly this week, and safeguarding is expected to dominate once again. The outcome will be closely watched by survivors’ groups, reform-minded Catholics and Vatican officials alike.
For León XIV, the decision will signal how he intends to confront abuses of power within the hierarchy. For the Spanish Church, it is a reminder that long-suppressed stories continue to shape public trust. And for victims—whether heard decades late or only now—this may mark the beginning of overdue recognition.