Fr. Marko Ivan Rupnik is an internationally-renown Jesuit theologian and artist who has been accused of abusing the office of his ministry in the 90's by several women.
In October, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ruled that the statue of limitations to for the allegations had passed, but the Society of Jesus decided to maintan precautionary measures taken against Fr. Rupnik during the investigation.
The Jesuit priest cannot hear confessions or hold retreats. Yet the Superior General of the Order acknowledged that Rupnik was not following these restrictions. In February, he was scheduled to lead spititual exercises in Loreto, Italy.
FR. ARTURO SOSA
Superior General, Society of Jesus
That is not possible. We will find the way of making it impossible.
Sosa has also tried to explain why the Jesuits adopted the measures against Rupnik without communicating them publicly until after a website brought them to light. He said that to not communicate is not the same as obstructing justice, and said there were reasons for doing so.
FR. ARTURO SOSA
Superior General, Society of Jesus
I would like to say that it is one thing to cover up a case, and another thing is how much to communicate. What shouldn't be done, and which we shouldn't do, and which we don't want to do is not recognize the facts. The facts are there, and they are known and acknowledged. And as I said, all the legal processes have been carried out.
Yet that wasn't all. Sosa also said that Rupnik had been excommunicated for offering confession to a woman with whom he had a sexual relationship. He said that Rupnik had completed the necessary steps to have the excommunication lifted and was brought back into the Church.
The head of the Jesuit order said that he had not raised this issue with the Pope, or asked him to intercede in the case in any way.
JRB
TR: JM
