Pope Leo XIV accepts resignation of Peruvian bishop accused of sexual abuse
Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Antonio Santarsiero Rosa of the Diocese of Huacho, Peru, effective July 15. Santarsiero submitted his resignation upon turning 75, the age at which bishops must submit resignation under canon law. The resignation followed allegations of sexual abuse and psychological mistreatment that emerged in April, which the bishop denied. The Peruvian Bishops' Conference acknowledged the accusations and pledged to investigate, while the Holy See Press Office confirmed acceptance without further detail.
3 months ago
Pope Leo XIV formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Antonio Santarsiero Rosa of Huacho, Peru, after the prelate turned 75 and faced accusations of sexual abuse and psychological mistreatment that emerged earlier in the year. 1
On 15 July 2026 the Holy See announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Bishop Santarsiero’s resignation, which had been submitted upon reaching the canonical retirement age of 75. The Vatican’s statement offered no further details beyond the acceptance. 1
In April, the Spanish outlet InfoVaticana reported that a dossier sent to the apostolic nunciature in Peru and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith contained accusations that Santarsiero had sexually abused a minor and subjected another person to psychological mistreatment over several years. The same reports noted that the bishop “categorically” denied the allegations, asserting that they contradicted his pastoral record. 1
Following the disclosure, the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference (CEP) announced that Santarsiero had stepped down as secretary‑general of the conference as an act of responsibility and that the body was pursuing the matter in accordance with canonical and civil protocols. The conference expressed confidence in the canonical penal system and reminded potential victims of the listening channels established by the motu proprio Vos Estis Lux Mundi. 1
Antonio Santarsiero Rosa, born 13 June 1951 in Italy, belongs to the Oblates of St Joseph. He arrived in Peru in 1973, was ordained a priest in 1980, and became bishop of Huacho in 2004 after serving as prelate of Huarí. He joined the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference in 2017 and was appointed its secretary‑general in 2024. 1*
Pope Leo XIV’s acceptance of a bishop’s resignation amid abuse allegations
Pope Leo XIV’s acceptance of a bishop’s resignation amid sexual-abuse allegations fits within a wider Church duty: governance measures can change, while investigation, protection of victims, and reporting obligations must proceed. The norms most directly relevant to how allegations are handled are found in Vos estis lux mundi (2023), which establishes reporting duties, confidentiality protections, and procedures for cases involving bishops.
When the Pope accepts a bishop’s resignation, this is a canonical/governance action concerning the bishop’s office. However, from a Catholic perspective, it should not be read as:
The Church’s legal response to abuse allegations is structured around Vos estis lux mundi, which treats reports and data-handling as mandatory duties, protected by confidentiality, and followed by procedural transmission to competent authorities.
This matters because Vos estis lux mundi explicitly covers reports concerning bishops for specified sexual delicts (especially those involving minors or vulnerable adults), and it provides procedural steps once a report is received.
Even if leadership changes (e.g., resignation accepted), the Church’s obligation to handle allegations through lawful procedures remains grounded in the reporting and procedural framework of Vos estis lux mundi.
Sources (this section):
Vos estis lux mundi focuses on three practical/legal pillars: (1) reporting, (2) data protection/confidentiality, and (3) transmission to competent authorities with defined procedure.
The document requires that when a cleric (and also certain Church members) learns of information or has well-founded motives to believe that one of the covered acts has been committed, there is an obligation to report it promptly to the competent Ordinary (with specified options).
It also allows lay faithful to submit reports.
Once reports are received, dioceses/eparchies must provide accessible offices/institutions for submissions, and the information is to be handled in a way that guarantees safety, integrity, and confidentiality.
This is crucial because abuse cases require both serious truth-seeking and protection of the vulnerable, while avoiding reckless disclosure that can further harm victims or prejudice legitimate processes.
For reports concerning a bishop of the Latin Church (and subjects listed in the text), the authority that receives the report must transmit it:
If special cases apply (e.g., the report concerns the Metropolitan or the Metropolitan see is vacant), the text describes forwarding to the Holy See and other appropriate ecclesiastical officers.
The “who is covered” part is also explicit: Vos estis lux mundi applies to bishops (and other major figures) for delicts referred to in its scope, carried out during office (“durante munere”).
Finally, Vos estis lux mundi stresses that its norms apply without prejudice to reporting obligations under state law, particularly where there are duties to civil authorities.
Sources (this section):
Beyond procedure, Pope Leo XIV’s messaging emphasizes what the Church must look like when it faces abuse: a culture of prevention and a community challenged by the wounds of those who suffered.
In his message to Italian territorial representatives for protection of minors and vulnerable adults, Pope Leo XIV describes protection as more than rules and procedures: it requires wisdom in how authority is exercised, vigilance over contexts, formation of educators, and transparency.
He also highlights how abuse victims’ wounds call for:
And he frames a proper Church response as one that:
This pastoral framework clarifies how Catholics should interpret leadership actions: acceptance of a resignation is not the end-point of justice; it should be understood in continuity with truth-seeking, lawful process, and victim-centered repair.
Sources (this section):
Given that public reports often lack details about the stage of investigation or whether there has been a formal canonical process at the time of the announcement, Catholics should be careful not to infer more than is warranted.
From the Catholic sources provided here, what can be said with confidence is:
This set of sources does not include the specific text of the Vatican/diocesan communiqué about the particular bishop’s resignation, nor does it specify whether the case is at investigation, administrative removal, canonical trial, or other stages. Therefore, any claim about the bishop’s canonical status or guilt would go beyond what is supported by the provided documents.
Sources (this section):
Pope Leo XIV’s acceptance of a bishop’s resignation amid abuse allegations should be understood within the Church’s duty to receive protected reports, transmit them to competent authorities, comply with civil obligations, and pursue truth, justice, and healing for victims—so that governance changes do not replace the lawful process owed to both justice and the vulnerable.