The most talked-about Jesuit of the moment, the one who is casting a sinister shadow over the entire Society of Jesus for the abuses committed on several lay and religious women at different times - even refusing to at least ask for forgiveness and acknowledge the harm done - is about to be definitively expelled from the order founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. This is an emblematic and burning case that reverberates at the highest levels. Not even the high-level supports he has so far been able to enjoy have been worth it, so now the fate of Father Marko Rupnik seems to be sealed.
This artist, known worldwide for having created mammoth mosaic works in the major shrines and places of worship, including the Vatican, from today will have a month's time to appeal the decision taken by the Jesuits.
"We inform with a sorrowful heart that on June 9, 2023, the Father General dismissed him from the Society of Jesus in accordance with canon law, due to his stubborn refusal to observe the vow of obedience". The statement released during the day has summed up the embarrassing affair that has been dragging on for some time, creating upheaval even in Santa Marta since Pope Francis himself had received him two years ago, the day after a first canonical measure by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. He had been excommunicated because he would have raped women who he then absolved in confession from the sins committed, in a perverse and manipulative spiral. The excommunication was later cancelled, even though the Vatican has never explained the reasons, let alone why that strange whitewashing was adopted in the name - perhaps - of mercy.
"The Team in charge of allegations against Jesuits belonging to the DIR handed us in February 2023 the dossier relating to the numerous allegations of all kinds that have reached us, coming from very different sources and for facts that occurred over a period of more than 30 years regarding Father Rupnik. As Superiors, we considered the degree of credibility of what was reported or testified as very high and we adhered to the indications and recommendations provided by the Referring Team in its final considerations" explains Father Johan Verschueren adding that the Company had imposed on Rupnik to change community and accept a new mission offering him "a last opportunity as a Jesuit to come to terms with his past and give a clear signal to the numerous injured people who testified against him, to be able to enter a path of truth". But faced with Rupnik's repeated refusal to obey this mandate, the Jesuits (split internally) had "unfortunately only one solution left: dismissal from the Society of Jesus". Now he has 30 days to appeal. During this period we must limit ourselves to this official communication to allow the procedures to have their course. If and only when Rupnik's dismissal from the Society becomes final, it will be possible to delve into the issues. Not before".
Pope Francis in a recent interview with Ap had dwelt on the Rupnik case stating that for him it had been a cold shower, he certainly did not expect what had then emerged with the allegations. "For me it was a surprise, really. This, a person, an artist of this level, for me it was a great surprise and a wound". He had then hoped for greater transparency, regarding the way in which abuse cases are handled: "That's what I want, and with transparency comes a very beautiful thing, which is shame. Shame is a grace". The Pope had also clarified that he had no role in the management of the affair and had only intervened procedurally "in a small process that had reached the Congregation of the Faith in the past".
In the meantime, around the world, various Episcopal conferences are questioning whether the mosaic works in the shrines and places of worship of a serial abuser are to be dismantled or not.
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