Images of artwork by Father Marko Rupnik, a former Jesuit priest accused of serial spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse, have been quietly removed from official Vatican Media websites
Newsroom (09/06/2025 7:57AM, Gaudium Press) Images of artwork by Father Marko Rupnik, a former Jesuit priest accused of serial spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse, have been quietly removed from official Vatican Media websites, nearly a year after the head of the Vatican’s communications department defended their continued use despite widespread public criticism. The move, which occurred over the weekend, has been met with cautious approval by victims and advocates, though it underscores the ongoing challenges facing the Vatican in reforming its safeguarding culture and ecclesiastical justice system.
Background: The Rupnik Case
Father Marko Rupnik, once a celebrated artist and cleric, faces allegations of abusing dozens of victims, primarily women religious, over three decades. Many of these women were part of a religious congregation he co-founded in his native Slovenia. The accusations, which include claims that Rupnik’s abuse was intertwined with his “creative process,” have led survivors and advocates to label his works “rape art” and demand their removal from sacred spaces, including shrines, chapels, and the Apostolic Palace.
Rupnik enjoyed the favour of popes, Vatican officials, and Jesuit superiors for much of his career. Despite credible evidence and numerous witness testimonies, the Vatican initially declined to prosecute Rupnik, citing an expired statute of limitations. In 2020, he was secretly tried, convicted, and excommunicated for absolving an accomplice in a sin against the Sixth Commandment—a penalty that was quickly lifted. It was not until October 2023, following global outrage after Rupnik was invited to serve as a priest in Slovenia, that Pope Francis ordered the case reopened and lifted the statute of limitations.
Removal of Rupnik’s Artwork
The removal of Rupnik’s digital artwork from Vatican News liturgical calendar pages, including those for June 2025 feasts, marks a significant shift. As recently as Saturday, the images were still visible. The decision appears to reverse a policy defended by Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, who in June 2024 dismissed concerns about the images, stating, “We’re not talking about abuse of minors,” and noting that no new images had been added.
The change follows a meeting last week between Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Sean O’Malley, head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. O’Malley had previously urged Vatican departments to exercise “pastoral prudence” and avoid displaying artwork that could imply exoneration of alleged abusers or indifference to victims’ suffering.
Vatican press office director Matteo Bruni did not respond to inquiries about who ordered the removal, the timing of the decision, or its broader implications. Two high-ranking Vatican communications officials, speaking anonymously, told Crux they were unaware of the change until contacted.
Reactions from Victims and Advocates
Laura Sgrò, a lawyer representing several of Rupnik’s victims, welcomed the removal. “My clients received the news with favor,” she told Crux, noting that the images’ continued use had caused “ulterior pain” for survivors. Mirjam Kovacs, one of Rupnik’s accusers, called the development “an encouraging sign.”
Anne Barrett Doyle of Bishop Accountability described the removal as “a small but positive step” but urged Pope Leo to expedite Rupnik’s canonical trial and sanction his enablers. “The delay in justice for Rupnik is both cruel and unnecessary,” she said, pointing to similarities between Rupnik’s alleged manipulations and the abuses of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peruvian group suppressed under Pope Francis.
Antonia Sobocki of LOUDfence, a UK-based victim advocacy group, emphasized the importance of prioritizing survivors. “Every time we actively choose to listen to and prioritize those injured by abuse, we are living out the message of the Gospel,” she told Crux. She described the removal as a “first step” toward restorative justice and healing for both victims and the Church.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the removal, the Vatican has provided no explanation for the decision, and Rupnik’s canonical case remains unresolved nearly two years after Pope Francis ordered its review. In March 2025, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said his department was still forming a tribunal and selecting judges for the “mediatic” case.
Critics argue that the Vatican’s handling of the Rupnik case reflects deeper systemic issues. Barrett Doyle noted Pope Francis’s “baffling reluctance” to support Rupnik’s victims publicly, citing his use of Rupnik’s artwork in a 2023 video message as an “insensible act” that signaled skepticism about the victims’ claims.
Under Pope Leo XIV, who as Cardinal Robert Prevost played a role in suppressing the Sodalitium, there is cautious optimism. Sgrò said her clients “place a great deal of trust in Pope Leo XIV” and are confident Rupnik will face trial soon. However, advocates like Barrett Doyle remain skeptical of decisive action, calling for Rupnik’s removal from the priesthood and accountability for his protectors.
A Step Toward Reform?
The removal of Rupnik’s images is a symbolic gesture, but its significance depends on what follows. Sobocki emphasized that “healing and reconciliation are not an event but a journey.” While the decision may signal a shift under Pope Leo, the lack of transparency and the prolonged delay in Rupnik’s trial highlight the Vatican’s ongoing struggle to address abuse credibly and prioritize survivors.
As the Church navigates this scandal, the voices of victims and advocates continue to demand accountability, transparency, and a safeguarding culture that truly reflects the Gospel’s call to justice and compassion.
Raju Hasmukh with data sourced from:
Interviews with Laura Sgrò, Mirjam Kovacs, Anne Barrett Doyle, and Antonia Sobocki conducted by Crux.
Vatican press office statement, October 27, 2023.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s letter to Vatican department heads, June 2024.
Remarks by Dr. Paolo Ruffini at the 2024 Catholic Media Conference.
Comments from anonymous Vatican communications officials to Crux.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández’s statements, March 2025.
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