This isn't the first time Vatican News has decided to use the controversial art.
Adriana Azarian Vatican
The Vatican is once again drawing criticism for using the artwork of Father Marko Ivan Rupnik in a Vatican News article on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 7.
Father Rupnik, a priest and artist, has been accused of spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse of religious sisters. He was removed from the Jesuits last June, and the Vatican has announced that Rupnik will face a canonical process over the abuse allegations after Pope Francis decided to waive the statute of limitations on the claims.
More #Rupnik on @VaticanNews today...
— Matthew Hazell (@M_P_Hazell) June 7, 2024
And I regret to inform you all that the next scheduled use of Rupnik's art by Vatican News will be on 22 July (see quoted thread). Unless the Dicastery for Communications is shamed into doing something about it. https://t.co/V3hglRojWd pic.twitter.com/Lqunsp1KIj
Father Rupnik was briefly excommunicated in 2019 for absolving a woman with whom he had a sexual relationship in confession. His excommunication was lifted, and he continues his priestly duties in a Slovenian diocese.
Yet another #Rupnik mosaic at the website of @VaticanNews @vaticannews_fr @vaticannews_it etc pic.twitter.com/FV3K0VHNXo
— Mark Chaplain (@MarkAJChaplain) June 7, 2024
The Vatican also used Father Rupnik’s artwork recently for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity on May 26, and the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on June 1, also causing disapproval from Catholics on social media.
2000 years of wonderful and rich sacred art, and the editors @VaticanNews insist on repeatedly choosing Rupnik's art for their website. Why? If you need digital images of good sacred art, I am happy to help and supply you with photos! https://t.co/Oxi35u9QBJ
— Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. (@LawrenceOP) June 7, 2024
Father Rupnik’s art, which features large-eyed depictions of Jesus and the saints, is in more than 200 liturgical spaces in Europe and North America, including the Vatican and the John Paul II Shrine in Washington D.C.
A spokesperson from the John Paul II Shrine told The Pillar that perpetual pilgrims taking part in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage have been advised not to take photos in front of Father Rupnik’s mosaics following the Eucharistic Procession and Benediction on June 8.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith continues to investigate the allegations against Father Rupnik.
Catholic News Agency, also owned by EWTN and sister agency to the Register has reached out to the Vatican for comment but did not hear back before publication.
Hannah Brockhaus of the Catholic News Agency contributed to this report.
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Adriana Azarian Adriana Azarian is currently completing an internship with the Register. She is a Hillsdale College student studying politics and journalism who enjoys writing news stories and features.
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