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2h ago

Vatican Names Five-Judge Panel for Rupnik Canonical Trial

A panel of external judges, including women, was chosen to underscore independence after Pope Francis lifted time limits to allow prosecution.

FILE - A mosaic by ex-Jesuit artist Marko Rupnik is seen on the main facade of the Church of Our Lady of the Canadian Martyrs, June 28, 2024, in Rome. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
FILE - Pope Francis walks with Jesuits' superior general Arturo Sosa Abascal, left, after presiding a mass on March 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, file)
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Overview

  • The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said on Oct. 13 that five judges were appointed on Oct. 9 to hear the case.
  • The tribunal includes women and clerics from outside the dicastery and the Roman Curia to reinforce the court’s autonomy.
  • Francis waived the statute of limitations in October 2023, enabling a full trial after Vatican officials initially declined to prosecute as too old.
  • Rupnik is accused by several adult consecrated women of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse; he was dismissed from the Jesuits in June 2023 and was briefly excommunicated in 2020 for abusing the confessional.
  • The Vatican indicated the proceedings are set to begin soon, while Rupnik has not responded publicly and supporters at his Centro Aletti studio have condemned media coverage.