Bishop of Lourdes wants to demolish Rupnik mosaics – but not yet

He was removed from the Jesuit order a year ago, and the Vatican announced that Rupnik will face a canonical trial on abuse allegations after Pope Francis moved to lift the statute of limitations on the claims.

The priest’s extensive artistic career, which followed his alleged abuse, created problems for many Catholic sanctuaries and churches in Europe and North America. Rupnik’s studio was responsible for designs for more than 200 liturgical sites around the world, including Fatima, the Vatican, the John Paul II shrine in Washington, D.C., and the tomb of St. Padre Pio.

Some argue that removing Rupnik’s art would be a manifestation of “cancel culture,” pointing to works by Renaissance artists with scandalous personal lives. Others highlight allegations that the accused priest convinced nuns to commit sins with him by convincing them that sinful acts would honor God, and ask whether his religious art could also be permeated with and convey a “false Gospel.”

The Vatican has come under fire for publishing photos of Rupnik’s mosaics on the official Vatican News website, most recently on June 28. Paolo Ruffini, head of the Vatican’s communications office, defended the use of Rupnik’s work during a June 21 appearance in Atlanta, saying their removal would not help his accusers.

Cardinal Seán O’Malley, the pope’s top adviser on preventing clergy sex abuse, sent a letter to the Roman Curia on June 26 asking Vatican officials not to use Rupnik’s play to “avoid sending a signal that the Holy See is unaware of the psychological suffering experienced by so many.”

In the case of Lourdes, the problem is felt acutely because the Marian shrine is known worldwide as a place of healing and consolation, and many consider it a privileged place for victims of abuse to seek healing. The French bishops have emphasized this by gathering in Lourdes to pray and fast for victims of abuse.

In his latest statement, Micas stressed that he believes that in Lourdes, suffering and wrongs, including victims of sexual abuse, must always come first.

“My job is to ensure that the shrine is welcoming to all, especially those who suffer, including victims of sexual abuse and assault, both children and adults,” the bishop said.

“In Lourdes, the suffering and the wounded, in need of comfort and reparation, must always be a priority. This is the special grace of this shrine: nothing should prevent them from responding to Our Lady’s message to come here on pilgrimage.”

For that reason, Micas said he believes the mosaics should be removed. He added that Rupnik’s art “has nothing in common with other works of art whose artists and victims have been dead, sometimes for centuries.”

“Here the victims are alive, just like the artist,” he said.

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Entrusting the situation to Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette, the bishop said he “will continue to work even more closely with the victims and discern what needs to be done here in Lourdes to respect the absolute need for consolation and reparation.”