Key facts
- The Vatican confirmed an ongoing church trial for ex-Jesuit priest Marko Ivan Rupnik, accused of spiritual and sexual abuse.
- The Vatican defended the secrecy of the proceedings, stating it is necessary for the process.
- A blog report suggesting Rupnik's acquittal was denied by the Vatican as 'totally unfounded'.
- Victims' attorney Laura Sgro criticized the Vatican's canonical system for its secrecy and lack of victim participation.
- Rupnik was expelled from the Jesuits in 2023, and Pope Francis waived the statute of limitations for older abuse allegations.
- The Vatican stated that canonical trials are distinct from civil or criminal justice and focus on church matters.
The Vatican has confirmed that a church trial against former Jesuit priest and artist Marko Ivan Rupnik, accused of spiritual and sexual abuse, is ongoing. The Holy See defended the secrecy of the proceedings, stating it is necessary to ensure the integrity of the process. This comes after an Italian blog reported an acquittal verdict had been reached, a claim the Vatican denied as 'totally unfounded.'
Allegations of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse against Rupnik by women and nuns date back to the 1990s. The case gained significant attention due to suggestions that Rupnik was protected by church hierarchy for decades. He was briefly excommunicated in 2020 for serious offenses but was expelled from the Jesuits in 2023. Pope Francis waived the statute of limitations on older claims to allow for a canonical trial.
Laura Sgro, the attorney for five accusers, has sharply criticized the Vatican's canonical legal system, highlighting that victims have no right to information about the investigation or to participate in the proceedings. The Vatican stated that canonical trials are internal church matters governed by canon law and are not intended to replace civil or criminal justice. The church's goal in these proceedings is to restore justice, reform the offender, and repair scandal, rather than specifically addressing the needs of abuse survivors.