Support La Croix International and high-quality journalism. Enjoy unlimited access to La Croix International. However, they are calling for additional measures. Women accusing Slovenian priest and mosaic artist Father Marko Rupnik of sexual assault applauded the July 3 decision by the Diocese of Tarbes-Lourdes to no longer illuminate his works adorning the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes while demanding for more action.
These alleged victims an Italian, a Frenchwoman, a Slovenian, and two women wishing to remain anonymous say they are ready to meet with Bishop Micas "to move forward together on a path of discernment that can truly lead to repair and consolation.
In an interview published July 3 in La Croix, Bishop Micas clarified that "there is no need to destroy these mosaics to remove them. The mosaics are not glued to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary We can, therefore, take them down and, if desired, exhibit them elsewhere," he argued. In a letter addressed last week to dioceses displaying mosaics by Father Rupnikβmore than works visible in Lourdes, Fatima Portugal , Damascus, Washington, and even the Vaticanβthe plaintiffs demanded their outright removal.
Father Rupnik, 69, a world-renowned theologian and mosaic artist, is accused of having committed psychological and sexual violence against at least 20 women over a span of 30 years, most notably within the community he led in Ljubljana, which is now dissolved. The Vatican invoked the statute of limitations to close the case in without a canonical investigation, with Father Rupnik only facing restrictions imposed by the Society of Jesus on his ministry.
But in , Pope Francis lifted this statute of limitations to allow for an investigation. Support La Croix International and high-quality journalism Donate. Enjoy unlimited access to La Croix International Subscribe. Thursday, July 4, Rupnik Case: Alleged victims seek more than just dimmed lights in Lourdes The decision by the Diocese of Lourdes to stop highlighting the works of Slovenian artist Father Marko Rupnik that adorn the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes was praised by women victims July 3.
