Journalist confronts ex-Jesuit Rupnik with accusations – he remains silent

The Slovenian mosaic artist and former Jesuit priest Marko Rupnik continues to remain silent about the allegations of abuse that have been levelled against him for years. The priest, who now lives in Slovenia, was accused by several nuns of having sexually abused them. According to the internet portal Crux (Tuesday), a video has now been circulated on social media in which an Italian journalist confronts the ex-Jesuit suspected of abuse with the allegations at Rome's Fiumicino Airport.

However, as can be seen in the video, Rupnik declined to comment. His travelling companion and assistant, on the other hand, covered the camera and stood between the two. According to the report, the video was published after another alleged victim of abuse went public.

Vatican investigating the case

The Rupnik case remains controversial, as proceedings against the former Jesuit priest have been ongoing in the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith since October 2024 on the orders of Pope Francis. Rupnik was expelled from the Jesuit order in mid-2023 after ignoring several conditions. Shortly afterwards, he was accepted into the Slovenian diocese of Koper.

Nothing is yet known about the status of the proceedings. Rupnik is one of the most important mosaic artists of the present day. One of his most famous works is the "Redemptoris Mater" chapel in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, which was completed in 1999. The Slovenian has also designed churches in Lourdes, Fatima, Krakow and Aparecida (Brazil). (KNA)