Spanish Cardinal Suspends Duties Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Spanish Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero has suspended his public duties due to an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against adult women. The Vatican announced that an investigation has been launched against Cardinal Lopez Romero, who is also the Archbishop of Rabat in Morocco.The cardinal, who has been accused by at least five women of sexual assault, has temporarily stepped back from his duties to allow for a thorough investigation. The allegations were first reported by AFP news agency. Cardinal Lopez Romero stated that he will fully cooperate with the Vatican's investigation and will not participate in public religious ceremonies or pastoral activities.Cristobal Lopez Romero has been a cardinal since 2019 and the Archbishop of Rabat since 2018. Considered one of the more progressive figures in the Catholic Church, Lopez Romero was also mentioned as a potential candidate in last year's papal election process.