Former Jesuit’s artwork dropped from Vatican Media websites

The images were digital reproductions of works created by Fr Marko Rupnik – a former Jesuit accused of spiritually, psychologically and sexually abusing dozens of victims over a period of 30 years, mostly while based in Rome. Most of Rupnik’s alleged victims were women religious, several of whom belonged at one time to a congregation of sisters he had helped to establish in his native Slovenia.

The artwork was taken down after Cardinal Sean O’Malley and officials of the Commission for the Protection of Minors had a meeting with Pope Leo XIV last week. As late as June 7, the artwork in question had still been visible on the official Vatican News liturgical calendar pages, including those for several feasts in the current month of June 2025.

There has been persistent global protest against the Vatican’s use of the artwork.

After media coverage last year, Cardinal O’Malley wrote to heads of Roman dicasteries expressing the hope that during this time, “pastoral prudence would prevent displaying artwork in a way that could imply either exoneration or a subtle defense” of alleged perpetrators of abuse “or indicate indifference to the pain and suffering of so many victims of abuse”.

“We must avoid sending a message that the Holy See is oblivious to the psychological distress that so many are suffering,” the cardinal said in the letter sent on behalf of the Commission to leaders of the Curia on June 26, 2024.

This year, initial media enquiries to the Holy See’s Press Office about the removal of the images did not receive a response. After the latest move, victims and advocates told Crux they are hopeful the change will prove a harbinger of more to come.

Laura Sgrò, a lawyer who practises in both the civil and ecclesiastical spheres and is representing a number of Rupnik’s victims both civilly and canonically, told Crux the removal of the Rupnik images from the Vatican News website is a welcome development. She said her clients “place a great deal of trust in Pope Leo XIV”, and are confident Rupnik will speedily face trial.

Anyone who has a concern or complaint about abuse in a Catholic setting is encouraged to contact the Police or the Church’s National Office for Professional Standards on 0800 114 622.

FULL STORY

Vatican website removes pictures of artwork created by priest accused of abuse | Crux (By Christopher Altieri/Crux)

Cardinal O’Malley urges ‘pastoral prudence’ – Tutela Minorum (Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors)

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Lourdes Shrine covers Rupnik mosaics on Basilica doors – Vatican News (Vatican News)