Pope Leo XIV Names Successor-In-Waiting To Rabat Archbishop Under Vatican Investigation Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Mario Leon Dorado as coadjutor archbishop of Rabat, positioning him to automatically succeed Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero, who is currently under Vatican investigation over allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour.
The Vatican announced Dorado’s appointment on Saturday, giving the 52-year-old Spanish priest the title of coadjutor archbishop, a position that allows him to assist the serving archbishop while also conferring an automatic right of succession if the incumbent retires, resigns or dies.
Dorado, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, has spent nearly 25 years serving in Western Sahara, where he eventually became apostolic prefect.
His latest appointment follows an earlier Vatican decision in August naming him apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Rabat after allegations against Cardinal Romero became public.
An apostolic administrator is appointed to provisionally govern a diocese in circumstances where the sitting bishop is unable to fully exercise his functions or has stepped aside.
The development comes after AFP reported on July 8 that at least five women had accused Romero of sexual violence and inappropriate behaviour.
Romero, who had been regarded as one of the prominent cardinals considered in 2025 as a possible successor to Pope Francis, has denied the allegations.
He told AFP that he had “committed neither assault nor violence nor sexual harassment” and said he was stepping aside while the Vatican investigated the claims.
No complaint has so far been filed before the Moroccan judiciary, according to information provided to AFP by the prosecutor’s office and police.
Following Dorado’s appointment as apostolic administrator, two Vatican investigators reportedly travelled to Rabat to speak with some of Romero’s alleged victims as well as members of the archdiocese.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no finding of wrongdoing has been made against Romero.
His tenure as Archbishop of Rabat is officially due to end in 2027, but Dorado’s elevation as coadjutor archbishop means the Spanish cleric is now formally positioned to succeed him whenever the office becomes vacant.
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