The new head of the Jesuit in the Czech Republic has announced an investigation into a community connected to the country’s Aletti Center, a religious and cultural center linked to the Roman center directed by disgraced artist Fr. Marko Rupnik.
Newsroom, June 14, 2025, Gaudium Press – The Czech Jesuit Province, under new leadership, has initiated a sweeping investigation into the Olomouc Aletti Center and its associated Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SJVS) community, citing concerns over spiritual manipulation, doctrinally questionable texts, and ties to disgraced former Jesuit Fr. Marko Rupnik.
Investigation and Leadership Changes
Fr. Pavel Bačo, SJ, who assumed the role of provincial in late May 2025, announced on June 10 that he had dismissed the director of the Olomouc Aletti Center and appointed temporary successors. Bačo also ordered a probe into the center’s Refugium publishing house, which has produced texts deemed “doctrinally dubious” and linked to alleged private revelations by Kateřina Klosová, a female member of the SJVS community. The statement condemned these publications for promoting “false mysticism” and promised their removal from distribution pending the investigation’s outcome.
The Czech Jesuits explicitly distanced themselves from the SJVS, a community with thousands of members known for its prayer groups focused on priests. Despite its prominence, the province clarified that “the work of the SJVS is not and has never been the work of the Jesuit order.” The statement highlighted reports of “sectarian behavior” and “spiritual manipulation” within the SJVS, accusing it of causing “division and discord” in local churches, which “can hardly be perceived as the work of the Holy Spirit.”
Ties to Marko Rupnik Controversy
The investigation also addresses the Olomouc Aletti Center’s connection to the Rome-based Centro Aletti, founded in 1991 by Fr. Marko Rupnik, a Slovenian priest and mosaic artist expelled from the Jesuits in June 2023 for refusing to obey restrictions related to allegations of serial spiritual and sexual abuse. Rupnik, once celebrated for his artworks adorning major Catholic sites like the Vatican’s Redemptoris Mater Chapel, faces accusations of abusing dozens of women, including through sacrilegious acts tied to his art creation.
The Czech Jesuits’ June 10 statement condemned the Refugium publishing house for defending Rupnik, trivializing his misconduct, and belittling his alleged victims, calling such actions “completely unacceptable.” A source told The Pillar that Fr. Michal Altrichter, SJ, deputy director of the Olomouc Aletti Center, has publicly defended Rupnik’s innocence while disparaging his accusers, further fueling controversy. Bačo’s investigation will scrutinize these publications and the center’s role in perpetuating Rupnik’s influence.
Community and Canonical Probes
The Olomouc Aletti Center, inspired by its Roman counterpart, promotes faith-culture dialogue through inter-religious events, a library, spiritual formation, a film studio, and Refugium’s publications. However, its affiliation with the SJVS and the controversial texts has drawn scrutiny. The Czech Jesuits have pledged a forthcoming canonical investigation into the SJVS community, which they accuse of aligning with Klosová’s alleged revelations, prompting allegations of cult-like behavior.
The province issued a public apology, stating, “As Czech Jesuits, we sincerely apologize to all those to whom members of our order have caused spiritual harm in connection with the false mysticism of the SJVS and the Aletti Center.” They invited testimonies to shed light on the issue and requested “prayer and patience” as the investigations proceed.
Broader Context and Criticism
The Olomouc probe follows years of controversy surrounding Rupnik and the Roman Centro Aletti. A 2023 visitation by the Vicariate of Rome declared the Roman center’s community life “healthy,” but the report faced backlash for praising members’ silence amid Rupnik’s allegations. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some praising the Czech Jesuits’ decisive action while others criticize the Church’s handling of Rupnik’s case under Pope Francis.
As the Czech Jesuits confront these allegations, their actions signal a broader reckoning with the legacy of Rupnik and the potential for spiritual abuse within affiliated communities.
Raju Hasmukh with data sources from
- The Pillar, “Leader of Czech Jesuits Announces Investigation into Aletti Center Community,” June 11, 2025.
- CatholicVote, “Jesuits in the Czech Republic Dismiss Director of Fr. Rupnik’s Olomouc Art Center,” June 13, 2025.
- English.katholisch.de, “Jesuits Crack Down on Organisations in the Rupnik Environment,” June 11, 2025.
- BishopAccountability.org, “Leader of Czech Jesuits Announces Investigation into Aletti Center Community,” June 12, 2025.
- Wikipedia, “Marko Rupnik,” March 27, 2025.
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