Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of a Peruvian bishop as attention begins to turn towards the Pontiff’s expected journey to Latin America in November.
The Holy See Press Office announced on 15 July that the Pope had accepted the resignation of Bishop Antonio Santarsiero Rosa, O.S.J., from the Diocese of Huacho after he reached the canonical retirement age of 75. No successor has yet been appointed, leaving the diocese temporarily without a bishop as the Vatican considers its next appointment.
Bishop Santarsiero, who turned 75 on 13 June, was required under Canon 401 §1 of the Code of Canon Law to submit his resignation upon reaching the customary retirement age for bishops. Allegations have been made against the bishop, although the Vatican’s announcement made no reference to the accusations. A priest in 2024 submitted a dossier to the Apostolic Nunciature in Lima and to the Dicastery for Bishops alleging that Bishop Santarsiero had sexually abused both a former seminarian and the priest himself.
According to the allegations, the former seminarian claimed that the bishop subjected him to unwanted sexual contact over a period of years beginning while he was still a minor. The complaint further alleged that promises of scholarships, employment and opportunities within the diocese were used to exert influence over him.
The same dossier also contained allegations from a priest who had previously served as Bishop Santarsiero’s secretary. According to the documentation, the priest claimed he had been subjected to unwanted physical contact and psychological pressure. The complaint further alleged that, after rejecting the bishop’s alleged advances, attempts were made to undermine his credibility by circulating claims about his sexual orientation.
When the allegations became public earlier this year, Bishop Santarsiero rejected them in their entirety. As the accusations attracted increasing attention, the bishop stepped aside from his responsibilities as Secretary General of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, stating that he wished to “clarify the truth”, according to the conference’s statement. He has continued to categorically deny every allegation made against him.
According to the material submitted by the complainant, documentation detailing the accusations was first presented to Cardinal Robert Prevost, then Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, in November 2024 before being personally delivered in Rome the following month. The Vatican has not publicly confirmed receipt of those submissions or indicated whether a canonical investigation was opened in response.
The case has attracted attention because of the relationship between the then Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, and Bishop Santarsiero within the Peruvian episcopate. Both men served together in the leadership of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference for several years.
Bishop Santarsiero became president of the conference’s Economic Council in 2017, while then Bishop Robert Prevost was elected Second Vice-President in 2018. Both were re-elected to those positions in 2022 for the 2022–2025 term and worked alongside one another until Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Prevost Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023.
Their association did not end with Archbishop Prevost’s move to Rome. The two bishops continued to appear together at ecclesiastical events, including a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Prevost in Chiclayo in November 2023, which Bishop Santarsiero attended. There is no evidence or suggestion that either as Bishop or Pope that Pope Leo XIV had any reason to suspect that Bishop Santarsiero was behaving improperly. Their association is normal and expected with their ecclesiastical positions.
Born in Avigliano, Italy, in 1951, Bishop Santarsiero entered the Oblates of St Joseph in 1973 after qualifying in typography. He pursued philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical and Civil Theological Faculty of Lima before being ordained to the priesthood on 14 June 1980.
His episcopal ministry began in 2001 when Pope St John Paul II appointed him Prelate of Huari. Following his episcopal ordination later that year, he led the territorial prelature until 2004, when the same Pope transferred him to the Diocese of Huacho. Bishop Santarsiero formally took possession of the diocese on 25 April 2004 and remained there for more than 21 years.
The timing of the resignation is also notable given Pope Leo XIV’s expected apostolic journey to Latin America later this year. As AdVaticanum has previously reported, unlike the Pope’s recent visit to Spain, which centred on a single country, the November trip is expected to encompass several countries. AdVaticanum understands that the Holy See is preparing an itinerary that will include Peru, Uruguay and Argentina, with elements of the Peruvian programme already beginning to emerge ahead of an official announcement expected later this month.
The acceptance of Bishop Santarsiero’s resignation removes one unresolved leadership issue in the Peruvian Church before the Pope’s anticipated arrival. The Holy See has offered no explanation beyond accepting the resignation submitted in accordance with canon law, but the decision leaves the Diocese of Huacho vacant as preparations continue for the Pontiff’s expected visit to the region.
AdVaticanum understands that Peru is expected to present the greatest challenges during the visit, primarily because of continuing tensions surrounding the Archdiocese of Lima. Local reporting has pointed to ongoing internal disputes and power struggles linked to a series of decisions taken by Cardinal Carlos Castillo.
AdVaticanum further understands that planned public appearances involving Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Castillo have been kept to a minimum, effectively sidelining the Archbishop of Lima during the anticipated visit.
