An attorney representing five women who allege sexual and spiritual abuse by Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik, a prominent Jesuit priest and religious artist, has issued a formal complaint to the Vatican regarding its closed judicial procedures. The lawyer, Laura Sgro, sent a letter to Vatican officials expressing frustration over the church’s refusal to disclose details about an ongoing canonical trial, including what specific charges Rupnik faces and the current status of the proceedings.
The Rupnik case has drawn significant attention within the Catholic Church in recent years. The priest, known for creating religious mosaics displayed in major Catholic sites worldwide, faced accusations dating back to the 1990s. The Jesuits confirmed that Rupnik was briefly excommunicated in 2020 for using the confessional to absolve a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual activity. He was subsequently expelled from the Jesuit order in 2023 after more than two dozen women came forward with allegations spanning three decades. Rupnik remains a priest, and supporters have disputed the accusations against him.
Sgro’s complaint highlights broader concerns about canonical trial procedures. Under Vatican rules, abuse victims function as third-party witnesses rather than participants, with no access to case files, no right to know if investigations have begun, and no knowledge of proceedings status. A 2019 reform by Pope Francis permits victims to learn only the final outcome of their cases. International commissions and inquiries into clergy abuse have repeatedly criticized these procedures, arguing they retraumatize victims through secrecy and lack of transparency. French experts reviewing the French clergy abuse scandal in 2021 concluded that Vatican canonical investigations violated international human rights obligations.
Vatican officials stated that the Rupnik case remains ongoing, though an Italian blog had reported that Rupnik had been absolved in the canonical trial. The lack of clarity surrounding the case reflects broader systemic challenges, with canon law historically designed to address institutional concerns rather than victim needs and healing.
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