As a survivor of clerical abuse, I am both outraged and heartbroken by the Vatican’s continued use of artwork by Fr. Marko Rupnik, a known sexual offender whose exploits are under investigation. Despite calls from survivors, clergy, and even Cardinal Sean O’Malley, head of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, urging that all Roman Curia discontinue the use of Rupnik’s art, the Vatican has chosen to once again showcase his work on their website, this time on the Feast of the Assumption. This action is a profound betrayal to survivors and to the entire Church.
Two months ago, in affiliation with TentMakers of Louisiana, I wrote letters to Pope Francis and the head of the Dicastery for Communication at the Vatican, Dr. Paolo Ruffini, calling for Ruffini’s resignation. The reasons for this demand were twofold: first, Ruffini’s insensitive and cruel comments regarding clerical abuse survivors and the continued use of Rupnik’s art, and second, the Vatican’s blatant disregard for the advice of Cardinal O’Malley. Cardinal O’Malley had strongly urged all Roman Curia to refrain from using Rupnik’s art until a proper investigation could be conducted. However, the Vatican’s decision to once again display Rupnik’s art on their website for the Feast of the Assumption is not only a direct act of defiance but also a slap in the face to survivors and the faithful.
The Pride of the Vatican
The use of artwork depicting the Blessed Mother, created by a sexual offender, is horrific in the extreme. The Church should be a place of healing. Pope Francis has often called it a “field hospital” for the wounded. But how can we expect the Church to offer healing when it continues to glorify the work of someone who has caused so much pain? The Vatican’s actions do not demonstrate compassion, love, or humility. Instead, they reflect pride, arrogance, and a disregard for the suffering of survivors.
This is not simply a matter of aesthetics or artistic preference. However, I do think it’s important to note that we have 2000 years’ worth of artwork to choose from. Are Rupnik’s creations really the best the Vatican can find? I sincerely doubt it.
A Matter of Moral Integrity
This a matter of moral integrity. The Vatican’s choice to continue using Rupnik’s art, despite the outcry from survivors and others, sends a message that the Church does not value the well-being of those it has harmed. Thankfully, the Knights of Columbus and the Bishop of Lourdes have already taken steps to at least hide Rupnik’s art, showing that it is possible to act with integrity and compassion. Their actions are at least a small step in the right direction. Yet, the Vatican has set a poor example. Leaders continue in their failure to show the good and holy leadership that is so desperately needed in these times.
The Vatican’s continued use of Fr. Marko Rupnik’s artwork isn’t just tone-deaf—it’s something far worse. It’s a blatant and calculated affront to survivors and anyone who demands transparency and integrity from the Church. Using the artwork of an abuser, especially on special occasions like the Feast of the Assumption, is not just foolish-it’s morally repugnant. If you’re not aware, Rupnik’s victims reported that he used them to create his art. Their abuse became part of his creations. Make no mistake, this is not a mere oversight or insensitivity. This is a deliberate act bordering on trolling those who have already been gravely wounded, as well as those who have been tirelessly advocating for reform.
The Vatican is Deepening Wounds
The Church should be a refuge for the wounded. Yet, it is instead actively deepening the wounds of those who have already suffered so much. This isn’t just poor judgment—it’s a grave moral failing. To ignore the cries for justice and continue to elevate the work of someone like Rupnik is not just tone-deaf; it’s an intentional and malevolent act that betrays the very essence of what the Church should stand for.
We must call this what it is: evil. There is no other word for it. When individuals such as Dr. Paolo Ruffini knowingly engage in actions that harm the innocent, defying the advice of their own leaders, they are perpetuating the suffering of the vulnerable and therefore acting in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ. This isn’t about artistic merit, or liturgical beauty. It has become about power, control, and a refusal to acknowledge the truth and the pain of the faithful.
The Vatican’s pride and obstinance are leading it down a dangerous path. This path is eroding trust and causing irreparable harm to the Body of Christ. Faithful Catholics must not remain silent in the face of such evil. We must continue to speak out, pray, fast, and demand the accountability that is so desperately needed. The time for polite requests and patient waiting is over. It’s time to #RemoveRupnik. The Church needs to wake up, listen to its people, and act with the courage and humility that Christ demands. Anything less is a betrayal not only of survivors but of the Gospel itself.
The Church’s Mission
The Vatican’s refusal to listen to the voices of survivors and the faithful reveals a deep disconnect between its words and its actions. The Church is supposed to be a place of refuge. How can it fulfill this mission when it continues to ignore the pleas of those who have been most grievously wounded?
This is not what Jesus would have wanted, and it is certainly not how He treats His children. The Vatican claims to care for the marginalized. Yet, when it comes to survivors of abuse, their actions speak louder than their words. If the Church wants to be taken seriously as a moral authority, it must first demonstrate that it is willing to act with justice, compassion, and humility. Until then, all this talk about being for the oppressed is just that—mere talk.
Even when the shadows of betrayal darken our path, remember that our faith is anchored in Christ, not in the failures of men. Hold tight to His love, for it is in the heart of the storm that His light shines brightest.
About the Ruth Institute
The Ruth Institute is a global non-profit organization, leading an international interfaith coalition to defend the family and build a civilization of love.
Jennifer Roback Morse has a Ph.D. in economics and has taught at Yale and George Mason University. She is the author of The Sexual State and Love and Economics – It Takes a Family to Raise a Village.
To get more information or schedule an interview with Dr. Morse, contact media@ruthinstitute.org.
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