The official Vatican News website has begun removing artwork by Father Marko Rupnik, an accused former Jesuit artist. He is accused of abusing over two dozen women. His mosaics, were recently replaced a change which has touched some affected by the abuse, according to the US Catholic news website "OSV News." For example, the photo for the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, has now been changed. Just a few days ago, it showed a mosaic by the controversial priest Father Marko Rupnik, who was expelled from the Jesuit order due to the multiple and possibly credible allegations of abuse by women (including some nuns). Now, the same article displays another artwork by an artist.
Father Rupnik was temporarily excommunicated by the Church in 2020, for granting absolution to an Italian novice with whom he had previously had an intimate relationship. The excommunication was lifted after Rupnik's repentance.
There are serious allegations against Rupnik of sexual, spiritual and psychological abuse of over 20 women and at least one man.
The Jesuits announced in 2022 that they had suspended the Slovenian artist after allegations of abuse came to light. In June 2023, Father Rupnik was excommunicated from the Jesuits for refusing to comply with the conditions imposed on him in connection with the sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse of about two dozen women and at least one man over a period of 30 years, according to the order's website.
Even though there is credible evidence to prove some of the allegations and his dismissal from the Jesuit order, the Diocese of Koper in Slovenia, the priest's home country, incardinated Rupnik into its diocese, where he continues to work presently.
The official media portal "Vatican News," which is directly managed by the Vatican, had repeatedly featured Rupnik's art in various online articles and social media posts on liturgical holidays such as the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (June 7, 2024), the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15, 2024), and the Solemnity of Saint Joseph (March 19, 2024). This practice continued even after the public outcry over Father Rupnik and his expulsion from the Jesuits in June 2023 for disobedience and refusal to cooperate in the investigation. Social media posts, for example on X, reflect the widespread anger over this practice.
The change at Vatican Media came shortly after Pope Leo XIV's meeting with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on June 5, 2025, which could indicate a possible reaction to external sources.
In June 2024, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, called on Vatican authorities to exercise "pastoral prudence" and avoid the use of such art, so as not to give the impression of exonerating the accused abusers. However, the implementation of this request has varied.
The sensible handling of high-quality art by potential abusers is also being painfully debated within the church. In the U.S., the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Washington, D.C., and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Shrine of Our Lady in Lourdes, France, have already decided to cover the Rupnik mosaics in whole or in part out of respect for the victims of abuse.
Source: OSV NewsThe Jesuits announced in 2022 that they had suspended the Slovenian artist after allegations of abuse came to light. In June 2023, Father Rupnik was excommunicated from the Jesuits for refusing to comply with the conditions imposed on him in connection with the sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse of about two dozen women and at least one man over a period of 30 years, according to the order's website.
Even though there is credible evidence to prove some of the allegations and his dismissal from the Jesuit order, the Diocese of Koper in Slovenia, the priest's home country, incardinated Rupnik into its diocese, where he continues to work presently.
The official media portal "Vatican News," which is directly managed by the Vatican, had repeatedly featured Rupnik's art in various online articles and social media posts on liturgical holidays such as the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (June 7, 2024), the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15, 2024), and the Solemnity of Saint Joseph (March 19, 2024). This practice continued even after the public outcry over Father Rupnik and his expulsion from the Jesuits in June 2023 for disobedience and refusal to cooperate in the investigation. Social media posts, for example on X, reflect the widespread anger over this practice.
The change at Vatican Media came shortly after Pope Leo XIV's meeting with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on June 5, 2025, which could indicate a possible reaction to external sources.
In June 2024, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, called on Vatican authorities to exercise "pastoral prudence" and avoid the use of such art, so as not to give the impression of exonerating the accused abusers. However, the implementation of this request has varied.
The sensible handling of high-quality art by potential abusers is also being painfully debated within the church. In the U.S., the National Shrine of St. John Paul II in Washington, D.C., and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Shrine of Our Lady in Lourdes, France, have already decided to cover the Rupnik mosaics in whole or in part out of respect for the victims of abuse.
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