Vatican investigates Spanish bishop over abuse allegation

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.

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