The Vatican has launched an investigation into Spanish Bishop Rafael Zornoza over an allegation of sexual abuse of a teenage boy in the 1990s, a charge the cleric firmly denies.
The Diocese of Cádiz y Ceuta said in a statement on Monday that Zornoza is temporarily suspending his public schedule while the inquiry is under way and will cooperate fully with Church authorities. The diocese added that the case is being investigated by a Church tribunal convened at the Vatican’s embassy in Spain, located in Madrid.
Spanish newspaper El País first reported the probe earlier on Monday, saying the accusation dates back nearly three decades. The diocese described the allegation as “very serious and also false,” stressing its confidence in the Church’s judicial process and the presumption of innocence.
Zornoza has led the Diocese of Cádiz y Ceuta, on Spain’s southern coast, since 2011. He is the first Catholic bishop in Spain publicly known to have been investigated by the Vatican for an abuse allegation.
“The accusations being made, referring to events that took place nearly thirty years ago, are very serious and also false,” the diocese said in its statement.
“There is full confidence in the justice system, and full cooperation will be provided in everything that is required. At the same time, it is necessary to remember to respect the presumption of innocence that applies to all persons.”
The Vatican press office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Catholic Church, with an estimated 1.4 billion members, has been repeatedly shaken by abuse scandals around the world over recent decades, damaging its credibility and resulting in substantial compensation payments.
The investigation in Spain comes amid growing scrutiny of how such cases are handled within Church institutions.
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer inte...
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton, UK, home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as a...
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flig...
Minval Politika has published new video material which it says points to informal political understandings between Armenian businessman Samvel Karapet...
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-i...
Pope Leo XIV has issued a historic apology for the Catholic Church’s past role in legitimising slavery, describing it as a “wound in Christian memory,” as he released a landmark encyclical addressing human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to discuss Cuba and global religious freedom with Pope Leo during a visit to the Vatican on Thursday (7 May), following recent criticism from President Donald Trump over the pope’s comments on the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
A mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV was illuminated on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, continuing a centuries-old Vatican tradition marking the election of a new pope.
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton, UK, home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as anger continued to grow over the handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain, power cuts and transport disruption across Japan on Wednesday (3 June) as it tracked towards the greater Tokyo region.
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flight diversions, Kuwaiti authorities said.
Global weather forecasters predict a strong El Niño will develop in the second half of 2026, bringing hotter, drier conditions to much of Asia while increasing rainfall in parts of North and South America.
Minval Politika has published new video material which it says points to informal political understandings between Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.
Azerbaijan and the United States have launched a new economic dialogue aimed at deepening trade, investment and business cooperation, as officials from both countries met in Baku on 2 June during Energy Week.
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flight diversions, Kuwaiti authorities said.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment