The Knights of Columbus are among the first to make the decision to cover artwork made by the former Jesuit Marko Rupnik.
The head of the organization, Patrick Kelly, announced the Knights would be covering Rupnik's mosaics in the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C. and at the Knights' chapel in Connecticut.
For the moment, only fabric will be used to cover the mosaics that were installed in both locations in 2015.
Kelly says the decision came after an “extensive process,” including conversations with victims of sexual abuse, those who minister to them, art historians, bishops and other clergy and moral theologians.
The Knights have stated the artwork will remain covered pending the final decision from the investigation being carried out by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Following the ruling, a more permanent plaster covering could be applied.
The Knights' statement comes after the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini, responded to the question of Rupnik saying, “Who am I to judge?”
Soon after, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley issued a statement asking all heads of office in the Roman Curia to avoid using or publicizing Rupnik's artwork. He says:
We must avoid sending a message that the Holy See is oblivious to the psychological distress that so many are suffering.
And in Lourdes, where Rupnik's work is in a central location, the bishop's response was to take no immediate action to remove or cover up these mosaics for the time being.
KG
