EL PAÍS launched an investigation into pedophilia in the Spanish Church in 2018 and has updated with all known cases. If you know of any case that has not seen the light, you can write to us at: . If it is a case in Latin America, the address is: .
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“Trust in justice and respect for the work of the Rota Tribunal.” With this single phrase, the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) has assessed: the Vatican opens an investigation for pedophilia against the bishop of Cádiz, Rafael Zornoza, 76 years old. When asked by EL PAÍS, the conference did not want to assess the victim’s pain either. The bishop is being investigated for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor continuously during the nineties, when the prelate was a priest in Getafe and directed the diocese’s seminary. It is the first time that in Spain it is publicly known that a bishop is being canonically investigated for a crime of pedophilia.
The reported events – touching, caressing private parts and kisses on the mouth – date back to 1994, when Zornoza was 45 years old and directed the major seminary of the diocese of Getafe. This newspaper tried unsuccessfully this Sunday to speak with Zornoza to find out his version. The person in charge of communication for the Cádiz diocese did not answer the questions from this newspaper either. The alleged victim accuses the bishop of having abused him from the ages of 14 to 21. Finally, he has “temporarily suspended his agenda to clarify the facts and to attend to the treatment of an aggressive cancer that he is receiving.”
The bishopric has denied the abuses. “The accusations made, referring to events that took place almost thirty years ago, are very serious and also false,” the note also says. However, he has admitted that there is an open investigation and that it is being handled by the Tribunal of the Rota of the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain. It is expected that this court will take statements from the accused, victim (or victims) and possible witnesses or people informed of the facts. Technically, it is known as “prior investigation.” When it is completed it is sent to the Vatican. Then it is decided whether or not to open a procedure that will end with a canonical trial and a sentence. The resolution is sent to Doctrine of Faith to be ratified. .
