Father Marko Ivan Rupnik

The Vatican has dismissed reports that Father Marko Ivan Rupnik has been acquitted in his canonical criminal trial, insisting the judges have reached no decision and are still examining evidence submitted from dioceses, the Jesuits, interested parties and the press Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, has rejected reports that Father Marko Ivan Rupnik has been acquitted in the Vatican’s ongoing canonical criminal trial. The clarification follows reports alleging that the case had concluded in Father Rupnik’s favour. Responding to those claims, Bruni said the tribunal had reached no such decision and stressed that the judges were continuing to examine evidence submitted from multiple sources before reaching any determination. “Regarding some information that has appeared in the media in recent days, I reiterate that reports of any deliberation by the judges following the case of Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik are absolutely unfounded,” Bruni said. “The evaluation of the case is still ongoing, and the panel is examining documentation from the dioceses involved, the Jesuits, interested parties and the press.” Bruni also defended the confidentiality surrounding the proceedings, arguing that the tribunal could not release details while the case remained under consideration. “During the trial, as with any judicial proceeding, no information regarding ongoing activity can be shared in any way, out of respect for the trial itself and to avoid harming anyone involved, as has occurred in recent days,” he said. He added that, should the judges conclude that further evidence was required, “the panel will be responsible for obtaining it independently”. Bruni also reiterated the nature of the proceedings, emphasising that the Vatican tribunal is examining the case under canon law after Pope Francis authorised an exception to the normal statute of limitations governing the alleged offences. He said the case “is judicial in nature” and is proceeding “in derogation of the statute of limitations for any crimes”, allowing the tribunal to determine guilt or innocence according to canon law. He also underlined the distinction between ecclesiastical and civil jurisdictions, noting that any criminal liability under state law remains a matter for the countries where the alleged offences took place. “Canon Law can judge and impose penalties regarding the internal life of the Church,” Bruni said, while Father Rupnik “remains subject to the legislation of the countries in which any crimes were committed, and the statute of limitations for such crimes is established by the legislation of each country, regardless of ecclesiastical authority.” The Vatican statement came after the Italian blog Messa in Latino reported that it had learned from what it described as “persistent and highly authoritative sources” that the criminal trial had ended in Father Rupnik’s favour. The publication also reported, citing highly placed sources, that the proceedings concern allegations relating to “violence” rather than clerical abuse itself, and that a retrial could ultimately take place. AdVaticanum sources gave similar accounts. Father Rupnik was once regarded as one of the Catholic Church’s best-known sacred artists, with mosaics installed in churches, shrines and chapels across the world. That standing was overshadowed by allegations from multiple women accusing him of sexual, psychological, spiritual and abuse-of-authority offences spanning several decades. Many of the earliest complaints originated from former members of the Loyola Community, while further allegations later emerged from women connected with Centro Aletti, the Jesuit artistic and spiritual centre in Rome led by Father Rupnik, and his wider ministry.” Before the current proceedings, Father Rupnik had already been the subject of a separate canonical case concerning the offence of absolving in confession a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual activity, an offence that incurs automatic excommunication under canon law. In 2020, the then Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that he had incurred automatic excommunication after external judges unanimously confirmed the offence. The penalty was lifted later that month after Father Rupnik admitted the facts, expressed repentance and fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Holy See, although restrictions were subsequently placed on his ministry. Attention later shifted to the broader allegations connected with members of the Loyola Community. Following further complaints, the Society of Jesus conducted an investigation and forwarded its findings to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, recommending that a penal process be opened. The dicastery concluded in 2022 that the alleged offences could not proceed because they were barred by the applicable statute of limitations then in force. That decision prompted widespread criticism after details of the allegations became public. In October 2023, Pope Francis waived the canonical statute of limitations, allowing the case to move forward despite the passage of time. The Society of Jesus later dismissed Father Rupnik, citing what it described as a persistent refusal to obey legitimate instructions. The order said he had declined opportunities to acknowledge his conduct publicly, seek forgiveness and undertake a process of rehabilitation. Father Rupnik was subsequently incardinated into the Diocese of Koper in his native Slovenia. The Vatican announced on 13 October 2025 that the trial would be heard by a panel of five judges composed of women and clerics who neither belonged to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith nor held office within the Roman Curia. The Holy See said the arrangement was intended to safeguard the tribunal’s autonomy and independence. The identities of the judges have not been disclosed, and the Vatican has continued to release only limited information about the progress of the proceedings.

MessainLatino and AdVaticanum sources indicate that Father Marko Rupnik has been acquitted in the canonical criminal proceedings relating to allegations involving violence. The Holy See has not publicly confirmed the reported ruling or released the sentence MessainLatino has reported that Father Marko Ivan Rupnik has been acquitted in his canonical criminal trial. According to the pulication, after corroborating “persistent and highly authoritative sources”, it concluded that the verdict was in favour of Father Rupnik. While the reported outcome has not been confirmed publicly by the Holy See, AdVaticanum has corroborated MessainLatino’s reporting through its own sources, which have also confirmed the ruling. AdVaticanum has spoken to Vatican sources who would like the Holy See to publish the sentence publicly. Many, however, believe the Vatican will be reluctant to do so. From this publication’s understanding, the trial centred on whether the alleged abuse involved violence. The judges ruled in favour of Father Rupnik, citing insufficient certainty. This publication has also learned that a further case is likely being prepared. The sentence itself has not been released publicly, and no official statement has been issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The absence of any formal Vatican announcement has renewed questions about transparency in the handling of high-profile canonical cases. As this publication understands, the reported acquittal concerns only the specific canonical criminal proceedings relating to allegations involving violence. It does not necessarily bring every aspect of the wider Rupnik affair to a conclusion. The formal judicial process has always been conducted under canon law rather than through the secular courts. Unlike civil criminal proceedings, canonical trials before the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith are confidential by their nature, with evidence, witness testimony and judicial deliberations ordinarily remaining sealed unless the Holy See decides otherwise. Consequently, little official information has emerged since the case was reopened. Father Rupnik, born in Slovenia in 1954, rose to international prominence as both a theologian and an artist. His mosaics adorn churches, shrines and chapels across the Catholic world, including the Vatican, Lourdes and Fatima, while his theological reflections on sacred art earned him considerable influence in ecclesiastical circles. The allegations that later emerged fundamentally altered that reputation. Multiple women accused Father Rupnik of sexual, psychological, spiritual and abuse-of-authority offences spanning several decades, with many of the earliest complaints originating from former members of the Loyola Community. Further accusations later involved women connected with Centro Aletti and his wider ministry. Before the current proceedings, Father Rupnik had already faced another canonical process concerning the crime of absolving in confession a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual activity. That offence carries an automatic excommunication under canon law. In 2020, the then Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that excommunication after external judges unanimously confirmed the offence. The penalty was subsequently lifted in the same month after Father Rupnik admitted the facts, expressed repentance and fulfilled the conditions required by the Holy See. Restrictions on his ministry followed. Attention later shifted to the wider allegations relating to members of the Loyola Community. After further complaints reached both the Society of Jesus and the Vatican, an investigation was conducted and forwarded to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith with a recommendation that a penal process should begin. The dicastery ultimately concluded in 2022 that the alleged offences were barred by the applicable statute of limitations then in force under canon law. That decision attracted widespread criticism after details of the allegations entered the public domain. In October 2023, Pope Francis waived the canonical statute of limitations, allowing the case to proceed despite the passage of time. The move was interpreted as a sign of the seriousness with which the Holy See intended to address the allegations and followed concerns expressed by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors regarding aspects of the case’s handling. Meanwhile, Father Rupnik’s relationship with the Society of Jesus deteriorated. The Jesuits ultimately dismissed him, citing a persistent refusal to obey legitimate instructions. The order stated that he had declined opportunities to acknowledge his conduct publicly, seek forgiveness and undertake a process of rehabilitation. Father Rupnik was subsequently incardinated into the Diocese of Koper in his native Slovenia. On 13 October 2025, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith disclosed that five judges had been appointed to hear the case, explaining that the panel consisted of women and clerics who neither belonged to the dicastery nor held office within the Roman Curia. The Holy See stated that the arrangement was intended to guarantee the tribunal’s autonomy and independence. The Vatican did not publish the identities of the judges, nor did it provide details regarding their backgrounds or expertise. The confidentiality surrounding the process has led to criticism from some representing the alleged victims, who argue that they received little information regarding the tribunal’s progress despite repeated requests for clarification. Those concerns persisted throughout the trial. Lawyer Laura Sgrò, who represents several of the women bringing allegations against Father Rupnik, repeatedly stated publicly that she had sought procedural information from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith but had received no substantive response. The Society of Jesus has itself publicly acknowledged shortcomings in its handling of the affair. Father Johan Verschueren SJ, acting on behalf of the order in Rome, apologised to those who said they had suffered because of Father Rupnik’s actions and announced efforts aimed at reparation and healing. Jesuit Superior General Father Arturo Sosa later admitted that the order had failed to recognise warning signs and described that failure as a form of institutional blindness.