VATICAN CITY. A senior cardinal has called on Vatican authorities to cease displaying the artwork of Jesuit priest Father Marko Ivan Rupnik, who has been accused of abusing nuns and other women, to avoid appearing indifferent to the victims’ suffering.
Father Rupnik, renowned for his mosaics that adorn approximately 200 churches and chapels worldwide, including the Vatican, was expelled from the Jesuit order last year following multiple allegations of abuse. Around 20 individuals, primarily former nuns, have accused him of various forms of abuse during his tenure as a spiritual director in Slovenia about 30 years ago and later in Rome, where he pursued his career as an artist.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Rupnik has not publicly commented on them. The Jesuit Order described the allegations as “highly” credible last year.
In light of the allegations, five women who accused Rupnik of sexual and psychological violence have appealed to bishops globally to remove his mosaics from churches to prevent further distress to the faithful.
“Pastoral prudence would prevent displaying artwork in a way that could imply either exoneration or a subtle defense of alleged perpetrators of abuse,” stated Cardinal Sean O’Malley, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, in a letter to Vatican officials. “We must avoid sending a message that the Holy See is oblivious to the psychological distress that so many are suffering.”
The letter, dated Wednesday but published on Friday, was prompted by a lawyer representing some of Rupnik’s alleged victims, who questioned the appropriateness of keeping his artworks in places of worship. The lawyer’s letter to over 80 bishops from various dioceses highlighted that some women were abused during the creation of the mosaics, either while posing as models or participating in the installation.
Contrarily, Paolo Ruffini, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, opposed the removal of Rupnik’s works. “I don’t think we have to throw stones, thinking it is the way of healing someone,” Ruffini remarked at a Catholic media conference last week, according to video footage obtained by The Pillar. “The Christian faith is saying other things.”
Despite this, some dioceses are considering the removal of Rupnik’s art. Notably, Lourdes, where a mosaic by Rupnik adorns the façade of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, is expected to make a decision shortly.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
