Pope Francis on Thursday condemned ‘psychological violence and abuse of energy’ within the Church, because the case of a outstanding priest {accused} of inviting two nuns to participate in a ‘Holy Trinity’ threesome has rocked the Vatican.
The pontiff, 89, made the apparently pointed remarks in his annual Christmas tackle to cardinals, bishops and different members of the Curia, the central administration of the Vatican.
It comes after Marko Ivan Rupnik, 68, was {accused} by a former nun of utilizing his ‘psycho-spiritual’ management over her some three a long time in the past to have intercourse, together with group intercourse, and watch pornographic movies.
On the time of the allegations, Rupnik, who is thought within the church for his art work, was a non secular director of a convent in Slovenia and the previous nun, now 58, has described how her complaints in opposition to the priest have been ignored.
Marko Ivan Rupnik, 68,(pictured) was {accused} by a former nun of utilizing his ‘psycho-spiritual’ management over her some three a long time in the past to have intercourse, together with group intercourse, and watch pornographic movies
Rupnik, proper, is now on the centre of a scandal that has engulfed the Jesuits, a Catholic order of monks and brothers, of which Pope Francis, left, is a member
The pope at the moment stated: ‘Moreover the violence of arms, there’s additionally verbal violence, psychological violence, the violence of the abuse of energy, the hidden violence of gossip.’
He added that nobody ought to ‘revenue from his or her place and position so as to demean others’.
Though the pontiff didn’t refer particularly to Rupnik, the Jesuit order, of which the pope is a member, has been rattled by allegations in opposition to the high-profile priest.
Pope Francis stated: ‘There may be additionally verbal violence, psychological violence, the violence of the abuse of energy, the hidden violence of gossip’
A former nun {accused} Rupnik of exercising ‘psycho-spiritual’ management over her.
She informed the Italian investigative newspaper Domani on Sunday: ‘Father Marko began slowly and sweetly getting inside my psychological and non secular world, exploiting my uncertainties and fragility and utilizing my relationship with God to push me into sexual experiences with him.’
The nun claimed Rupnik had groomed her, had intercourse along with her and bullied her into silence throughout her time within the Slovenian convent between 1987 and 1994.
He was stated to have requested her and one other nun to have intercourse with him, stating they might replicate the three-way relationship between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
She additionally stated she believed Rupnik had abused as many as 20 girls.
Althugh she had made repeated efforts to show him in, she got here to face Jesuit and different superiors who routinely protected Rupnik at her expense.
The closed Basilica of Lourdes is pictured Might 8, 2020, in Lourdes, southwestern France. Mosiacs by Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik beautify a number of church buildings and chapels, together with the Lourdes basilica
‘It was actually an abuse of conscience,
‘He ought to have been stopped 30 years in the past,’ the lady informed Domani.
The Slovene bishops’ convention broke three weeks of silence with a press release wherein the churchmen additionally voiced solidarity with the victims of the Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik and urged anybody harmed by him or every other priest who abused his authority to come back ahead.
‘It’s by no means the victims’ fault! We’re on their facet,’ the bishops stated. ‘Any misuse of non secular energy and authority to hold out violence in opposition to subordinates is an unacceptable and despicable act.’
Underneath stress from the media, the Jesuits acknowledged earlier this month that Rupnik was disciplined a minimum of twice lately as alleged victims got here ahead however was quietly pardoned by the Vatican’s doctrinal workplace.
The Jesuits have successfully reopened the case, posting a letter on their web site on Sunday asking anybody wishing to make new complaints or talk about current ones to contact them.
The Slovenian priest is comparatively unknown amongst rank-and-file Catholics however is well-known within the hierarchy as a result of he is without doubt one of the church’s most sought-after artists. His mosaics beautify chapels, church buildings and basilicas across the globe.
Rupnik (pictured on left), who is thought within the church for his art work, allegedly obtained preferential therapy given his skills because the nun’s complaints have been beforehand ignored
The case has raised questions on whether or not Rupnik obtained preferential therapy given his inventive skills and standing as a well-known, sought-after Jesuit at a time when the pope’s order is ready of affect on the Holy See.
Rupnik’s ministry had been restricted and that he was forbidden from listening to confessions, giving non secular route or main non secular workout routines.
Nevertheless, he’s listed as scheduled to ship non secular workout routines from February 13-17 on the Loreto Marian shrine on Italy’s Adriatic coast, in keeping with the Loreto web site.
On Sunday, Rupnik’s rapid superior, the Rev. Johan Verschueren, stated he wished to attempt to make clear a number of the questions which have erupted concerning the case. In a press release, he appealed for anybody with outdated or new allegations to come back ahead.
‘My predominant concern in all of that is for many who have suffered, and I invite anybody who needs to make a brand new criticism or who desires to debate complaints already made to contact me,’ he stated.
He stated complaints could be accepted in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and German.
