Vatican: Judges found for trial against ex-Jesuit Rupnik

The Vatican has appointed judges for the ecclesiastical proceedings against the former Jesuit Marko Rupnik. This was reported by the Italian news agency S.I.R. on Thursday. Rupnik is accused of abusing several nuns.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced at a press conference in the Vatican that the panel of judges was made up "exclusively of independent personalities outside our dicastery". This is intended to avoid the impression that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith or the Holy See have a special interest in the proceedings or are under pressure. According to Fernandez, the start of the process is subject to deadlines - for example for notifying those affected. They are working with the necessary discretion.

Accusations against the ex-Jesuit

Several nuns had levelled serious accusations against Rupnik. In essence, it was about the utilisation of the clerical office for sexual seduction. According to church law, such acts are sinful, but not criminal offences. There is also no legal recourse against them under state criminal law.

In 2019, Rupnik incurred the temporary punishment of excommunication because he had absolved one of the women concerned of the sins they had committed together in confession by virtue of his priestly authority. In June 2023, Rupnik was expelled from the Jesuit order for persistent disobedience; since then, he has lived as a priest with his official residence in Slovenia. Pending ecclesiastical criminal proceedings against Rupnik were extended in October 2023 by order of the Pope at the time. (KNA)