All articles tagged with #jesuits
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV urged Jesuits to courageously and discerningly engage with the frontiers of culture, faith, and human need, emphasizing the importance of adaptation, reconciliation, and ethical use of technology in their mission, while remaining rooted in prayer and community.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Catholic News Agency
Two alleged abuse victims of mosaic artist Father Marko Rupnik spoke publicly for the first time, detailing the tactics he allegedly used to manipulate them, including spiritual, psychological, and physical abuse. The Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) has reopened the case after Pope Francis lifted the statute of limitations, and the investigation is underway. The victims' lawyer encouraged other victims to speak out to civil as well as Church authorities, emphasizing the need to report to state authorities and seek legal action.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Associated Press
María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, also known as "Mama Antula," will become Argentina's first female saint, recognized for her work with the Jesuits in 18th-century Argentina. Despite societal limitations for women at the time, she joined the Jesuits and dedicated herself to spiritual exercises, even after their expulsion from America. Her charity and perseverance in erasing social differences have been highlighted by Pope Francis, who will preside over her canonization at St. Peter’s Basilica. Mama Antula's beatification and canonization were authorized after the recognition of two miracles linked to her, and her recognition as a saint brings together two opposing figures in Argentina: Pope Francis and the newly elected president, Javier Milei.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by National Catholic Reporter
St. Francis of Assisi is often credited with inventing the Christmas crèche, but historical evidence suggests that the Jesuits were the first to set up a crèche in Prague in 1562. The crèche as we know it today, with the Holy Family, shepherds, and the Magi, came together about 500 years after the birth of Christ. While St. Francis' dramatic tableau at Greccio lacked human figures, it was in line with the tradition of liturgical plays. The Jesuits, known for their record-keeping, documented their crèche and may have created the false impression that St. Francis originated it.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Catholic World Report
The case of Marko Rupnik, a disgraced celebrity muralist and former Jesuit priest, highlights the lack of accountability within the Catholic Church regarding sexual abuse. Despite allegations of serial abuse against Rupnik, the Jesuits expelled him for disobedience rather than prosecuting him. The statement from the superior of the Jesuits' international houses, Fr. Johan Verschueren, expressed regret for Rupnik's expulsion but failed to address the victims' claims. Pope Francis, who has been reluctant to use new laws to prosecute abuse cases involving adults, risks perpetuating the notion of special treatment if he does not take action against Rupnik. The lack of transparency and justice in addressing abuse within the Church undermines Francis' promises of reform.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Catholic News Agency
The former superior of Father Marko Rupnik, a disgraced artist priest accused of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse, claims that Vatican norms prevented the Jesuit order from taking stronger action against him. The Jesuits confirmed Rupnik's expulsion and stated that the Vatican's legislation hindered a more thorough investigation and harsher penalties. Rupnik, who remains a priest without direct supervision, could potentially be put into ministry by a sympathetic bishop. The controversy surrounding Rupnik raises questions about the Society of Jesus' handling of abuse claims and Pope Francis' involvement in the matter.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
The Jesuits have confirmed the expulsion of renowned artist priest, Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik, from the religious order for sexually, spiritually, and psychologically abusing women. While Rupnik remains a Catholic priest, he is no longer a Jesuit priest. The Jesuits expressed regret that they couldn't prosecute him more vigorously under Vatican procedures. Rupnik had been accused by several women of abuse over 30 years, and the Jesuits found the claims to be highly credible. However, due to Vatican legislation at the time, the most severe penalty of defrocking could not be applied. Going forward, Rupnik will need to find a friendly bishop to continue his public ministry.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by America: The Jesuit Review
The Jesuits have expelled Slovenian priest and celebrated religious artist Marko Ivan Rupnik from the congregation following allegations of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuses against adult women. Rupnik had been accused by several women of abuse over a 30-year period, but had largely escaped punishment due to his exalted status in the church and at the Vatican. The scandal had remained a problem for the Vatican and the Jesuits because of suspicions that Rupnik received preferential treatment.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
The Jesuits have expelled Slovenian priest Marko Ivan Rupnik from the congregation due to allegations of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuses against adult women. Rupnik, a celebrated religious artist in the Catholic Church, had been accused by several women of abuse over a 30-year period. The case had remained a problem for the Vatican and the Jesuits because of suspicions that the charismatic priest received preferential treatment. The Vatican's sex abuse office refused to waive the statute of limitations and declared the crimes too old to prosecute.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Associated Press
Pope Francis has sent one of his top sex crimes investigators, Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, to Bolivia to provide guidance on how to handle the escalating pedophilia scandal involving priests. The visit comes as a former Jesuit seminarian, Pedro Lima, arrived in Bolivia to testify about alleged cases of abuse. The Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the case of Spanish Jesuit Alfonso Pedrajas, who allegedly abused about 85 minors in Catholic boarding schools in Bolivia in the 1970s and 1980s. The Jesuit Society in Bolivia has apologized to the victims and pledged to support the investigation while denouncing Pedrajas’ superiors for an alleged cover-up.