Mosaics by alleged abuser Father Marko Rupnik are displayed throughout the shrine in Lourdes, France. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA
Rome Newsroom, Jun 19, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
AdvocatesforsexualabusevictimssaythatreligiousartbytheaccusedabuserFatherMarkoRupnikshouldbetakendownorcovereduptosparevictimsfurthersuffering.ButChurchauthoritiesinchargeoftheworks,whichdecorateprominentCatholicchurchesaroundtheworld,haverespondedtothosecallsindifferentways.
Rupnikhasbeenaccusedofthesexualandpsychologicalabuseofdozensofwomenunderhisspiritualcareinthelate1980sandearly1990s.HewasbrieflyexcommunicatedbytheCatholicChurchin2020andexpelledfromtheJesuitorderin2023,butheremainsapriest.TheVaticanisstillintheprocessofmakingafinaljudgmentinhiscase.
RespondingtocallsthatRupnik’sworksbecoveredordestroyedandforreproductionstoberemovedfromwebsitesandpublications,shrinesinEuropeandtheU.S.havecovereduptheirnowcontroversialmosaics.Butotherinstitutionshavetakenamoretolerantapproach.Someauthorities,includingtheDioceseofRome,arewaitingtos
