Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Founder and President of the Ruth Institute, called for the resignation of Dr. Paolo Ruffini as the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication.
At a recent Catholic Media conference, Ruffini responded to questions regarding the Vatican’s continued use of artwork by Father Marko Rupnik, who is credibly accused of serial sexual abuse.
“When asked why the Vatican continues to use Rupnik’s artwork, Ruffini’s statements, most notably, ‘We’re not talking about the abuse of minors,’ were an unnecessary injury to the already-injured people harmed by Rupnik,” Morse said.
“They were injurious to victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy and, ultimately, to all survivors of sexual trauma. Further, Ruffini’s statements discredited the unchangeable teachings of the Church and were an embarrassment to the entire Body of Christ.”
The Ruth Institute issued the following statement regarding Dr. Ruffini’s comments:
- Sexual exploitation of the weak inflicts trauma upon the victims. This trauma can last a lifetime, especially if the victim does not receive help from qualified professionals and support from people around them.
- The ancient Christian teachings about marriage, family and human sexuality are good and true and deserve the full-throated defense of all the Christian faithful. Adherence to these teachings would greatly limit clergy sexual abuse, as well as sexual abuse more generally. Without a robust defense of these teachings, the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults will continue to rage throughout all sectors of society, including the Roman Catholic Church.
- The most expansive interpretation of papal infallibility by the papacy’s most committed supporters has never included the requirement that all the faithful assent to or approve of the Pope’s personnel decisions.
- According to the Code of Canon Law section on The Obligations and Rights of all the Christian Faithful (Cann. 212,3): “According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.”
With these principles in mind, the Ruth Institute joins TentMakers of Louisiana, whose mission is to support victims of clergy sex abuse, in calling for the resignation of Dr. Paolo Ruffini. They have written an open letter to Pope Francis.
“Ruffini showed no awareness of points 1 and 2 above,” Morse noted. “The Roman Catholic members of our coalition understand points 3 and 4 to include our right and responsibility to make our opinion known to the appropriate Church authorities.”
“Ruffini should issue an apology and resign. If he refuses to do so, the appropriate Church authorities should show compassion for survivors by dismissing Ruffini from his post and issuing an apology for the harm he has caused.”
Faith Hakesley, who at 15 was sexually assaulted by her parish priest, is the author of the Ruth Institute’s “Advice from a Survivor” blog. She said: “The Catholic Church must prioritize the well-being and healing of those who have suffered at the hands of its clergy. Only through sincere compassion and accountability can the Church begin to restore its credibility as the moral authority God intends her to be. Only then can the Church offer true solace to its wounded flock.”
“Together, let us take a stand and say enough is enough,” Hakesley continued. “Let us work towards a Church that truly embodies compassion, justice, and healing for all.”
For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact media@ruthinstitute.org.
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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