“Vatican’s Response to Artist Abuse Allegations?”

Fr Marko Rupnik, renowned for his grand mosaic masterpieces found globally from the Vatican to Brazil, is arguably the most prominent religious artist on the planet. However, his reputation has been marred by numerous accusations of sexual and spiritual abuse levied against him by religious sisters.

The influential US Catholic charity, the Knights of Columbus, recently declared its temporary concealment of Rupnik’s mosaics in two of their holy places. This decision is dependent on the results of an ongoing investigation by the Vatican, and the artwork could ultimately be concealed indefinitely.

In a recent move, the Bishop of Lourdes decided to shroud the Rupnik mosaics gracing the facade of the Rosary’s Basilica, typically highlighted during torchlight parades. The Bishop has even expressed a desire to permanently remove them if necessary.

Back in the 80s, Rupnik, alongside Sr Ivanka Hosta, established a spiritual community in Slovenia, known as the Loyola Community. Some of these abuse allegations stem from that period, although they only came into the public eye in recent years.

Following a fallout with Hosta, Rupnik relocated to Rome, taking up the directorial role at the Centro Aletti, a locus for art and spirituality. Some of the Sisters from the initial community who continued their collaboration with Rupnik in Rome levelled serious allegations of gratuitous sexual and spiritual exploitation against him.

Rupnik, who was ordained a Jesuit, faced accusations of sexual misconduct in 2018, which his Order received. These included allegations that he forgiven a person’s sins in the confessional that related to sexual acts he had performed with them; an automatic excommunication offence under Canon law. This has further exposed the Church’s failure to grapple with the dynamics of power abuse and sexual exploitation.

After being found guilty in 2020, Rupnik was excommunicated, although the punishment was only temporary and the reasons behind its lift remain unclear. The Jesuits community, where he once belonged, imposed stipulations on his role in the public ministry – rules he frequently breached. Albeit expelled by the Jesuits in 2023, a Slovenian diocese readily took him in.

The local Bishop in Slovenia stated that presumption of innocence until proven guilty was Rupnik’s right. In contrast, accusations of misconduct in Ireland result in the automatic suspension of clerical functions. The Vatican was approached to instigate an investigation, initially rejecting the notion citing the allegations were too aged. But eventually, they embarked on an inquiry, which remains undetermined.

Rupnik’s involvement with a Slovenian community he helped establish was thought to be investigated by Bishop Daniele Libanori SJ, Rome’s auxiliary Bishop, in 2020. He stumbled upon several believable charges against Rupnik. Astonishingly, some informers claimed they originally reported Rupnik three decades ago, only to be labelled as psychologically unsound and unfit for a religious path.

The Loyola Community, a Vatican-sanctioned initiative, was liquidated in 2023, and penalties were placed on its co-founder, Hosta. This is in direct contrast to the approval given to Centro Aletti, a prominent Roman centre for spiritual artistry where Rupnik was once a director. Currently, Maria Campatelli serves as the director and staunchly defends Rupnik. She branded the accusations as “slanderous and baseless” and accused the media of targetting Rupnik unfairly. The organisation’s online platform still prominently highlights Rupnik’s affiliations and accomplishments.

The Vatican’s Communication Department continually features Rupnik’s artistic works on its site. When questioned, Paolo Ruffini, the director and a layperson, stated that the destruction of art never represents a wise decision and gave an example of Caravaggio, even if he was a convicted murderer. However, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston wrote to the Roman Curia expressing that “presenting artwork in such a manner that may subtly defend or imply absolution” of those accused of abusive behaviour “or appear indifferent to the distress and agony of numerous abuse victims” would not be a sagacious pastoral move.

Once upon a time, my belief was that the character or morals of an artist do not impact their art, even if the artist was morally deficient. However, following the disturbing statements from ex and current religious sisters regarding the gross exploitation and exertion of power by Rupnik, including alleged violation in Holy places or post-Eucharistic celebration, my belief has been shaken somewhat.

Some nuns stated that they initially lodged complaints about Rupnik’s actions three decades ago, but were dismissed as unstable and inappropriate for religious life. Caravaggio and his victims are long gone, while Rupnik and his asserted victims are still amongst us. The victims claim that the abuse was not separate, but rather an essential component of Rupnik’s perverse spirituality and artistic creativity. Their plea is not to destroy the mosaics, but to relocate them away from places of congregation and prayer.

The Church has inflicted immeasurable harm by denying and concealing child abuse cases. Though there has been some advancement in certain national churches—such as Ireland, fresh instances elsewhere continue to crop up with worrying frequency. Sadly, these cases increasingly pertain to the abuse of adult women and men.

Regretfully, the Church continues to underplay the gravity of power imbalance and sexual exploitation. Allegations of the abuse of religious sisters seem especially difficult for the Church to accept and address.

There ought to be an immediate discontinuation of depicting these images on any Church-based or indeed, all religious communications. Until the investigation is concluded, these mosaics should be veiled as a sign of remorse to the victims who suffered sexual abuse. Hiding mosaics is decidedly better than hiding crimes. If the charges against Rupnik are found to be valid, as requested by the victims, they should be removed permanently.

Written by Ireland.la Staff

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