Pope Francis’ Commission to Prevent Abuse Urges Vatican Offices to Downplay Rupnik’s Artwork

The head of the Vatican’s communications branch for less than a year has staunchly defended the continuing importance of a work by a father accused of serial abuse in his workplace. Marco Rupnik, head of Pope Francis’ personal abuse prevention charge, has written to every Vatican branch urging them not to value artworks of alleged perpetrators of abuse.

“We must avoid sending the message that the Holy See is oblivious to the psychological crisis from which so many people suffer,” said a letter sent June 26 to the heads of Vatican dicasteries by Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston.

The letter noted, “Pastoral prudence would prevent displaying the artwork in a way that might suggest either an acquittal or subtle defense of alleged abusers” or indifference to the pain and suffering of so many victims of abuse. Can give indication.

Excerpts from the Cardinal’s letter were included in a June 28 press release concerning pontifical fees for coverage of minors. O’Malley, who sits on the Pope’s Council of Cardinal Advisors, has served as chairman of the commission since its formation in 2014 and has long been named as a reformer in abuse prevention efforts.

According to his comments, the commission is in contact with a group of abuse victims and survivors expressing their “frustration and concern” over the continued importance of Rupnik’s art through several Vatican offices, including the Department of Communications.

During a June 21 speech at the Catholic Media Conference in America, Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Department of Communications, was immediately asked about the continuing importance of Rupnik’s artwork in his office.

Rejecting Rupnik’s artwork, Ruffini insisted, “This is not a Christian response.”

“As Christians, we are called not to judge,” he informed conference attendees, who also noted that the Vatican investigation of Rupnik is still ongoing, “The anticipation of a judgment is something that What is not in our opinion, is not good.”

The Communications Department consistently uses Rupnik’s artwork for inclusion in its online liturgical calendar, including including this date in the Celebration of the Consecration of the Most Holy Center of Jesus on June 7.

During the Catholic media conference, Ruffini was particularly pressed on how the continued importance of the art work might resonate with the victims.

“I don’t think we should be throwing stones thinking that this is the only way to heal,” he said.

“Do you think that if I remove a piece of art from our website, I will get closer to the victims? Do you think so?” He requested the journalists. When answered yes, Ruffini replied: “I think you’re wrong.”

For years, Vipul and the next investigative Rupnik received commissions for their art work in basilicas and chapels far and wide in the region, including the Vatican.

In 2023, the Jesuit order expelled a Slovenian priest from its congregation following stories of serial sexual, religious and mental abuse over a 30-year period. Despite allegations of abuse by at least two batch women, he was welcomed back into ministry in his native Diocese of Kospar, Slovenia.

After a growing campaign in the following fall, Francis waived the statute of limitations and resumed the investigation toward Rupnik. For now, Vatican comment says there are “serious problems” with the way the case has been handled and cites issues raised through the Vatican’s individual anti-abuse charge over “lack of access to victims” .

Later, there was vigorous debate about the continued importance and display of his art, including from some of Rupnik’s alleged victims who argue that they were abused by the artist during the launch of their art.

Catholic bishops in France are expected to make a decision soon on whether they will reserve Rupnik’s mosaics at Lourdes Basilica and there have been strong calls to remove his artwork from the Pope John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C. . In Rome, the Vatican’s synod workplace has relieved the significance of Rupnik’s art works in his clothing.

Ruffini’s adamant criticism of Rupnik’s artwork, in contrast to O’Malley’s plea for its continued importance, establishes a stark difference between the two Vatican offices, in an establishment where war of words between senior officials rarely reaches the public. spreads out.

“Pope Francis urges us to be sensitive and in solidarity with those who suffer from all forms of abuse,” O’Malley wrote in his letter to Vatican dicastery heads. “I ask you to take this into account when selecting images for publication of messages, articles and reflections through the various communication channels available to us.”

Ruffini did not immediately respond to NCR’s request for comment on whether the Department of Communications would reconsider its insurance policies on the continued importance of Rupnik’s art work.