Vatican defends secrecy in sensitive abuse case involving ex-Jesuit artist Marko Rupnik
The Holy See says judges are still reviewing evidence and that reports of an acquittal are unfounded.
- On Wednesday, the Vatican denied reports that a canonical trial verdict had been reached against Slovenian priest Marko Ivan Rupnik, who faces accusations of sexual and psychological abuse from more than 20 women.
- An Italian blog reported Monday that Rupnik had been acquitted, sparking unconfirmed rumors about the secrecy of proceedings within the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
- Attorney Laura Sgro criticized the Vatican's in-house canonical system on Tuesday, stating her clients have been excluded from the process and unaware of the investigation's status.
- The Jesuits expelled Rupnik in 2023 after finding accusations against him 'very highly' credible, and Pope Francis waived the statute of limitations to enable this formal canonical trial.
- Canon law experts note that victims in these proceedings participate only as third-party witnesses, highlighting ongoing questions about the Church's judicial transparency in high-profile abuse cases.
42 Articles
42 Articles
In Rupnik case, the cost of secrecy is visible
Long-simmering unease over the lack of Vatican transparency in a high-profile abuse case boiled over this week and brought a major problem of governance into sharp focus. In a word: Why are criminal trials at Church law conducted in secret? The question has vexed penal lawyers practicing in the Church’s justice system, criminal justice experts, and reform advocates, for years. The case of Father Marko Ivan Rupnik, a disgraced Slovenian priest an…
The Vatican has broken its agonizing silence about the proceedings, rejecting unconfirmed reports that the excommunicated Jesuit has been acquitted of the charges.
Lawyer Laura Sgro, who represents five alleged victims of former Slovenian Jesuit Marko Rupnik, accused of abusing nuns, on Tuesday requested information about the proceedings before a special Vatican court. Previously, unconfirmed information emerged that Rupnik had been acquitted. The Vatican confirmed that the proceedings were still ongoing.
Vatican says Marko Rupnik trial is ongoing, denies acquittal report
The Vatican says the canonical trial against Marko Rupnik is still under way and no verdict has been reached. The case has intensified scrutiny of church secrecy and how abuse complainants are kept outside the process.
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