{"id":98972,"date":"2026-07-21T15:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T19:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-abuse-victims-lawyer-blasts-churchs-secretive-legal-process\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T15:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T19:32:54","slug":"vatican-abuse-victims-lawyer-blasts-churchs-secretive-legal-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-abuse-victims-lawyer-blasts-churchs-secretive-legal-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Vatican Abuse Victims’ Lawyer Blasts Church’s Secretive Legal Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

ROME \u2014 The attorney representing five women who claim they were sexually and spiritually abused by a former Jesuit priest and internationally celebrated religious artist has issued a blistering condemnation of the Vatican’s closed-door legal process, one in which her clients have no right to any information about the proceedings against him.<\/p>

Attorney Laura Sgro sent a letter to the Vatican on Tuesday demanding to know where things stand in the church’s investigation of the Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik. Her demand came after an Italian blog, Messa in Latino, published a report Monday claiming Rupnik had been cleared in a canonical trial.<\/p>

The Vatican has never publicly disclosed what specific charges Rupnik faces in its internal church court, making it impossible to determine whether he may have been cleared on some counts while the broader investigation continues on others. Vatican officials stated Tuesday that the case remains active.<\/p>

The Rupnik affair has emerged as one of the most delicate issues facing the Holy See in recent memory. Questions have swirled for years about whether the Slovenian priest was shielded for more than three decades by his Jesuit superiors and the Vatican’s own leadership, including Pope Francis.<\/p>

Rupnik was once among the most prominent contemporary religious artists in the Catholic world, creating distinctive mosaic works that adorn churches and basilicas across the globe, including at Lourdes and the Vatican itself.<\/p>

The controversy burst into public view in late 2022, when Italian blogs began reporting allegations of misconduct against him by women and nuns. Those claims, which dated back to the 1990s, had long been brushed aside by church officials.<\/p>

The Jesuits later acknowledged that Rupnik had been briefly excommunicated in 2020 for committing one of the Catholic Church’s gravest offenses \u2014 using the confessional to absolve a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual activity.<\/p>

Despite that, the Vatican declined to pursue claims brought by other women, saying those allegations were too old and involved adult women rather than minors at the time the alleged abuse occurred.<\/p>

The Jesuit order expelled Rupnik in 2023 after more than two dozen women came forward alleging he had abused them \u2014 sexually, spiritually, or psychologically \u2014 over a span of 30 years. Some said the abuse occurred while they were working alongside him on art projects.<\/p>

Rupnik remains a priest, and those who support him have denied any wrongdoing. Maria Campatelli, director of the Rome-based Aletti Center that Rupnik founded, has described the allegations as “defamatory and unproven” and characterized the media attention as a form of “lynching.”<\/p>

Amid growing suspicion that he had protected a fellow Jesuit, Francis in 2023 waived the statute of limitations on the older allegations, allowing the Vatican to open a formal canonical trial.<\/p>

It took the Vatican two years to name judges for the case. Late last year, Pope Leo XIV confirmed the trial had officially begun. While referring to Rupnik’s accusers as “victims,” he called on them to be patient with the process.<\/p>

“Processes for justice take a long time and I know it’s very difficult for the victims to ask that they be patient but the church needs to respect the rights of all people,” Leo said on November 4. “The principle of innocent until you’re proven guilty is also true in the church. And hopefully this trial that is just beginning will be able to give some clarity and justice to all those involved.”<\/p>

Because of the case’s sensitivity \u2014 and how its resolution could shape Francis’ legacy \u2014 any developments in the Rupnik trial have been closely tracked by victims and their advocates.<\/p>

Sgro took direct aim at the church’s secretive handling of the case and its refusal to either confirm or deny what the blog had reported.<\/p>

In her letter to the head of the Vatican office that oversees sex abuse cases, Sgro said no one from the Vatican had ever responded to her phone calls or emails seeking updates, and that her clients had never even been interviewed as part of the process.<\/p>

“How can what is happening be reconciled with the concepts of law, truth, justice, and fairness? With the words that the Holy Father constantly speaks on behalf of the victims of abuse?” Sgro wrote to Cardinal Victor Manuel Fern\u00e1ndez, prefect of the Vatican’s doctrine office.<\/p>

“I therefore ask you once again, Your Eminence, to answer some simple, basic questions regarding a criminal trial involving victims who first filed complaints more than thirty years ago: Has the trial begun? If so, what is the current status of the case? Who are the judges? What has become of my clients’ requests to be admitted as injured parties in the trial? Why were these women not called to testify?”<\/p>

Under church law, victims in canonical abuse cases are treated only as outside witnesses. They are barred from participating in any part of the confidential proceedings, have no access to case documents, and have no legal right to even know whether an investigation has been opened \u2014 let alone its current status.<\/p>

A reform implemented by Francis in 2019 grants victims the right to learn the final outcome of their case, but nothing beyond that.<\/p>

International commissions and inquiries into clergy abuse have repeatedly condemned the lack of rights afforded to victims in canonical proceedings, finding that the church’s secretive procedures cause additional harm to survivors. A core part of the problem is that church law was never designed with abuse survivors in mind. The system’s stated purpose is focused on the institution: restoring justice, reforming the offender, and addressing scandal.<\/p>

French experts who conducted a sweeping review of the clergy abuse crisis in France concluded in 2021 that the Vatican’s handling of canonical investigations put it in violation of its obligations as a United Nations observer state and member of the Council of Europe \u2014 both of which require upholding the basic human rights of victims.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An attorney representing five women who say they were abused by a former Jesuit priest has sharply criticized the Vatican’s secretive legal system. The lawyer sent a letter demanding answers about the status of a canonical trial involving the Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik, after a blog reported he had been absolved. Vatican officials say the case is still ongoing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":98971,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[835],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religious"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784662374036.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-pKk","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":65283,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-signals-shift-on-lgbtq-issues-religious-liberty-commission-prepares-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":98972,"position":0},"title":"Vatican Signals Shift on LGBTQ Issues; Religious Liberty Commission Prepares Report","author":"Admin","date":"May 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Traditional Catholics express worry as Vatican releases report featuring gay married Catholics' perspectives. Meanwhile, President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission readies recommendations after year-long hearings on expanding faith-based freedoms.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778583107190.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778583107190.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778583107190.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778583107190.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778583107190.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":79029,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-names-new-ambassador-to-syria-strengthens-diplomatic-ties\/","url_meta":{"origin":98972,"position":1},"title":"Vatican Names New Ambassador to Syria, Strengthens Diplomatic Ties","author":"Admin","date":"June 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Syria's foreign minister has accepted credentials for the Vatican's new ambassador, Archbishop Luigi Roberto Cona. The appointment highlights the Vatican's continued diplomatic presence in Syria throughout years of conflict, unlike many Western nations that withdrew.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781033201548.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":52630,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/religious-scholars-say-trumps-attacks-on-pope-leo-xiv-break-historical-precedent\/","url_meta":{"origin":98972,"position":2},"title":"Religious Scholars Say Trump’s Attacks on Pope Leo XIV Break Historical Precedent","author":"Admin","date":"April 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Religious experts tell NPR that President Trump's public criticism of Pope Leo XIV represents an unprecedented departure from traditional interactions between American presidents and papal leaders. The conflict marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations between the White House and the Vatican.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":41675,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-approves-animal-organ-transplants-for-catholics\/","url_meta":{"origin":98972,"position":3},"title":"Vatican Approves Animal Organ Transplants for Catholics","author":"Admin","date":"March 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Vatican has issued new guidelines stating that Catholics may receive organ transplants from animals like pigs and cows for medical treatment. The 88-page document reaffirms the Church's support for these procedures as long as they follow proper medical practices and don't involve animal cruelty.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774354932901.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":89934,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-declares-sspx-in-schism-excommunicates-bishops-after-unauthorized-consecrations\/","url_meta":{"origin":98972,"position":4},"title":"Vatican Declares SSPX in Schism, Excommunicates Bishops After Unauthorized Consecrations","author":"Admin","date":"July 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Vatican took sweeping action Thursday against the Society of St. Pius X after the traditionalist group consecrated four new bishops without papal approval. The Vatican's doctrine office excommunicated the bishops involved, declared the society in schism, and warned that rank-and-file members who continue attending its services also face excommunication.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1782981048329.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1782981048329.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1782981048329.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1782981048329.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57382,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/vatican-leader-condemns-capital-punishment-as-us-expands-execution-methods\/","url_meta":{"origin":98972,"position":5},"title":"Vatican Leader Condemns Capital Punishment as US Expands Execution Methods","author":"Admin","date":"April 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Pope Leo XIV released a video message calling the death penalty \"inadmissible\" according to Catholic doctrine. The statement came on the same day the U.S. Justice Department announced it would permit firing squads for federal executions.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98972","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98972\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}