According to several Catholic news agencies, a decree from the Apostolic Nunciature in Morocco, dated August 1, 2026 and signed by Nuncio Msgr. Alfred Xuereb, indicates that the Holy See has appointed Msgr. Mario León Dorado, O.M.I., until now Apostolic Prefect of Western Sahara, as apostolic administrator "sede plena" of the Archdiocese of Rabat. The appointment comes as a preliminary Church investigation continues into allegations of inappropriate conduct toward adult women against Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, Archbishop of Rabat, who temporarily stepped back from public ministry last July while denying any wrongdoing ("I have not committed any assault, violence, or sexual harassment"). The cardinal retains the title of archbishop but no longer exercises pastoral governance of the archdiocese. As of now, the appointment has not yet been published in the official Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office.