Luis Argüello, president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, has expressed his “pain” over the Vatican's investigation into the bishop of Cádiz and Ceuta, Rafael Zornoza, for alleged sexual abuse of a minor in the 1990s. While acknowledging the “plausibility” of the complaint, he upholds the presumption of innocence for the prelate. This is the first time a canonical investigation of a bishop for pedophilia has been publicly known in Spain.
On Monday, November 10, 2025, in Gran Canaria, Luis Argüello, archbishop of Valladolid and president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, commented on the complaint against Rafael Zornoza, the 76-year-old bishop of Cádiz and Ceuta. The Vatican's investigation focuses on alleged repeated sexual assaults on a minor during the 1990s, when Zornoza was a priest in Getafe and directed the diocese's seminary.
Argüello confessed his personal “pain” over the case, first reported by EL PAÍS. “The personal assessment I always make is one of pain in the face of such an event. The fact that the Holy See has initiated the investigation means it grants plausibility to the accusation,” he stated before a lecture at the Higher Institute of Theology of the Canary Islands.
However, he showed empathy for the accused: “The Church opens a procedure because it wants to know the truth and thus approach the pain of one and the other, the pain of a possible victim and the pain of a bishop who might have been falsely accused.” He emphasized the presumption of innocence: “At the same time, we must consider the presumption of innocence, which is a basis of our own civil and social legal system.”
The diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta issued a statement claiming the accusations are false and that Zornoza has suspended his agenda to clarify the facts and treat cancer he suffers from. Initially, the Episcopal Conference limited itself to saying: “Trust in justice and respect for the work of the Rota Tribunal.”
Argüello clarified that it is not up to the Conference to suspend Zornoza, as authority lies with the Holy See. He noted that Zornoza submitted his resignation upon turning 75, 14 or 16 months ago, and that, given his illness and the case, it is likely the Pope will accept it soon. Bishops must resign at 75, though the Pontiff may delay acceptance until finding a successor, or expedite it for health or abuse allegations.