The Diocese of Zamora on 27 August 2026 provisionally relieved a priest of all pastoral duties on suspicion of sexual abuse of minors. According to a statement by the Obispado de Zamora a communiqué said that a canonical procedure had been opened. The complaint was made by the alleged victims; according to the statements available, the alleged acts took place when the complainants were minors.
Bishop Fernando Valera Sánchez ordered a preliminary canonical inquiry and informed the civil authorities. The diocese said it would cooperate fully with the state investigative bodies. According to the diocese, these include the cuerpos y fuerzas de seguridad del Estado and, where appropriate, the competent court. The criminal assessment and any sanctions are therefore a matter for the police, Guardia Civil and the courts; in parallel, the Church’s own proceedings are examining canonical responsibility independently.
The diocesan measures include removal from parish offices, suspension of public priestly duties and a ban on any work with minors. The diocese stressed that these are precautionary measures and do not prejudge the outcome. They are reversible until the investigation is complete and are intended to protect possible victims and safeguard the integrity of the proceedings. Citing the need to protect those involved, the diocese gave no details about the accused’s identity, possible locations of the alleged offences or the period in which they may have taken place. It also said it had offered support to those affected and referred to the presumption of innocence.
The diocese’s statement was picked up by several regional media outlets on 27 August 2026. The latest step comes amid increased internal Church inquiries and Spanish dioceses’ stated willingness to cooperate with the judicial authorities in cases of alleged sexual violence. The case concerns the city and province of Zamora in Castile and León and, on the information currently available, has no operational links beyond the diocese at regional or national level. The diocese says it will share further details only as the investigation progresses; claims of guilt or responsibility have not been substantiated at this stage and must await further investigation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).