Bishop Rafael Zornoza, Primate of the Diocese of Cadiz and Ceutais being investigated by, For allegedly sexually assaulting a minor Of age, in some acts that were supposedly committed in the 1990s when he was a priest and director of the Getafe Theological School.
Although the reported events have already been determined by civil justice, this is not the case because Canon lawHence, the Rota Court of the Apostolic Nuncio in Spain opened an investigation in this regard.
– Taking statements and their conclusions They will be sent to the VaticanWhere it will be determined whether the procedure will be opened or not.
However, the initial complaint was already known in the Vatican Since this summersince the alleged victim mailed to Circle of Doctrine Faith based in Rome.
Zornoza is The first Spanish bishop investigated by the Vatican Charged with sexual assault after this complaint. In it, The alleged victim recounted what happened over several years and requested that the necessary measures be taken.
from Last week, the matter was investigated by the Rota Court For the Apostolic Embassy in Spain.
It should be noted that Bishop Rafael Zornoza submitted his resignation from his position on July 31, 2024, in accordance with canon law, after reaching the age of 75.
His resignation Neither Pope Francis nor his successor, Leo XIV, accepted it.He was elected last May.
But the Bishopric of Cadiz denied these facts The investigation has confirmed For the same. “The accusations made, in reference to events that occurred nearly thirty years ago, are extremely serious and also false.”
“There is complete confidence in justice and I will cooperate with her in everything All that is needed. At the same time, it is necessary to remember to respect the presumption of innocence that applies to all people.”
Yesterday, the bishop decided to temporarily suspend his agenda to clarify the facts and attend for treatment. Aggressive cancer It receives.” As EL ESPAÑOL has learned from sources close to the Episcopate, this is a disease that has been recently diagnosed.
The case, according to sources consulted from the religious sphere of the province of Cádiz, “has exploded like… bomb“Although the events in question occurred 30 years ago, when Zornoza was a priest, he is now a bishop.
bishop temporary
At the age of 76, the bishop takes office temporary Since July 31, 2024. On that day, Rafael Zornoza turned 75 years old. Code of Canon Law In Canon 401, it is time for bishops to retire.
“The bishop of the diocese who has reached the age of seventy-five is asked to do so To submit his resignation to the Supreme PontiffWhich will provide consideration for all circumstances.”
Zornoza, compliance with the rule, Then he submitted his resignation to Pope Francis. To continue to lead the Church of Cadiz. Pope Bergoglio “He didn’t solve it” Ecclesiastical sources refer to EL ESPAÑOL.
He died in April of this year, in addition to Al-Qusayr a period Sedivacantist Until the appointment of the Pope Leo XIVLast May, it caused… Delay 17 months Without any progress in this regard.
Bishop of Cadiz, Rafael Zornoza.
Cádiz
“Leo XIV still has not decided on his resignation,” the same sources abound. Added to all this is the delay in Appointment of the new papal nuncio The Vatican in Spain.
“His appointment took a year because the government rejected him.” This number is neither more nor less than an ambassador, as he is the representative of the Vatican State in Spain, and his credentials must be accepted by the Spanish government.
Thus, it is normal after the bishop resigns for reasons of age.”He must be exempted within a year“This happened not only in the Zornoza case, but in Spain currently, there are other cases Six bishops are over 75 years old And in the same situation.
Roads
On September 15, Pope Leo XIV appointed the new nuncio, the Italian Archbishop Piero PioppoWho replaced Bernardito Oza.
The data is relevant, because it is the nuncio who should take the initiative A arduous procedure, with interviews and investigations, To propose to the Pope the person he considers suitable to be called a bishop and take charge of the diocese.
finally, The Pope is the one who appoints the new bishop. Usually, according to the suggestion of this figure.
Given the circumstances, the sources consulted confirm that “the fastest way now is Which the Pope now accepts Zornoza’s resignationfiled on July 31, 2024.”
Thus, with the bishopric in the position of a vacant see, “a bishop from another neighboring diocese of the Holy See may be appointed as Apostolic official While the void is filled.
Something happened, for example, with Former Bishop of Solsona, Xavier NouvelWho submitted his resignation to Pope Francis in August 2021 because he maintained a romantic relationship with a woman whom he married months later.
There is another option that is considered according to canon law, “And when the Holy See does not decide anything, it is in accordance with College of Consultants The diocese itself may appoint, within a period of 8 days, an apostolic administrator for the government of the diocese, until a bishop is appointed by the Vatican.
A priest from Cádiz, who requested to remain anonymous, told EL ESPAÑOL that “this will be rushed,” You must go quickly There is no going back,” stressing that the seriousness of the declared and known facts “should be a reason for his precautionary suspension, as happens with other priests.”
For her part, Spanish Episcopal Conference Yesterday, he expressed his “confidence in justice” and “respect” for the work of the Rota Court of the Papal Nunciature in Spain, which is conducting the investigation.
In the afternoon, the President of the Episcopal Conference spoke, Luis ArguelloHe explained in the thread, “The personal assessment I make is always an assessment of the pain in the face of an event like this.”
He then emphasized that “the fact that the Holy See initiated the investigation is just that Provides verification “To this accusation,” said the leader of the Spanish bishops.
Argüello also noted that “the Church is opening a procedure because it wants to Find out the truth He thus wants to approach the pain of one and the other, the pain of the potential victim and the pain of the potential person, in this case the bishop, who could have been falsely accused.
The Archbishop of Valladolid also defended Presumption of innocence For the Bishop of Cadiz. “At the same time, we must have the presumption of innocence, which is The foundation of our legal systemcivil and social.”
He also took the opportunity to highlight “Steps taken In recent years, both in the Holy See and in the Spanish Church,” which means that “certain events that occurred about 25 to 30 years ago and are being investigated in civil jurisdiction are being investigated.”
The “cure” for my homosexuality.
The complaint filed and investigated by the Court of La Rota accuses Zornoza of alleged violations, which occurred in Getafe, When the bishop was now 45 years oldHe was a priest and director of the seminary.
The alleged victim, now 46, sent a message this summer Email the Doctrine of the Faith Department Listing of events that allegedly occurred from 1994 to 2001.
“From the age of 14 to 18, I went almost every weekend to the big school in Cerro de los Angeles. During this time (Rafael Zornoza) abused me.”
Letter, reproduced by CountryHe points out that “it was at night when he came into the room and was abused. He entered my bed, caressed me and kissed me. In the morning he woke me up in the same way.”
When he turned 18, the victim’s alleged abuse was to continue at major seminary. “At the same time, I admitted my homosexuality. Rava let me into the seminary and took me to conversion therapy to treat my homosexuality.
The events would continue until 2000, when the victim was 21 years old. The former seminarian explains in his letter of complaint that Zornoza “had a high ability to manipulate” him.
“He knew absolutely everything about me and… I blindly trusted what he told me“Another example of the ability to manipulate and control me is confessions,” he writes.
The complainant relates that he felt a great feeling of guilt “and it made me see that I was incapable of loving or understanding friendship”. “after I confess to my homosexual acts “I would go to bed and after a few minutes he would come into my bed and caress me.”
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