Jesuits present timeline of investigation of accusations against Fr Rupnik

Vatican News

Dated December 18, details on the investigation and steps taken in connection with allegations of psychological and sexual abuse made by some consecrated adult women against Jesuit Father Marko Ivan Rupnik, a well-known artist and preacher, were published on the website of the General Curia of the Society of Jesus. It is the first official reconstruction of the events.

In a statement, Father Johan Verschueren, SJ, the Delegate of Superior General Arturo Sosa (the head of the Jesuit Order) and Major Superior for the International Houses, said, “The last week has seen a focus on two investigations carried on concerning the ministry of Fr Marko Rupnik. One concerned a matter relating to the sacrament of reconciliation; another related to abuse against several women of the Loyola Community by Fr Rupnik. The information shared has provoked many questions and I share below a timeline of the events in the hope of providing some clarity.”

Father Verschueren affirmed that his “main concern in all of this is for those who have suffered,” and he invited anyone who wanted to make a new complaint or to discuss complaints already made to contact him. “I assure you that you will be listened to with understanding and with empathy,” he said, adding, “Already a few months ago, we established a team of people, women and men, from various disciplines and with a variety of expertise in dealing with these situations. They are available, and indeed have been, to listen, support and to help. The e-mail of this service is: teamreferente.dir@gmail.com and people can write in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and German.”

Father Verschueren’s statement concluded with a "Timeline of the investigations into allegations against Fr Marko Rupnik”, about which Jesuit General Father Arturo Sosa had also spoken when meeting with reporters last week, on 14 December:

From this initial reconstruction, it appears that the investigation is related to two separate cases. The first concerns the “absolution of an accomplice” in a sin against the sixth commandment.

- October 2018: Allegations of absolution of an accomplice by Fr. Rupnik in a sin against the sixth commandment are received by the SJ Curia delegate for the International houses in Rome. The Society sets up a preliminary investigation

- May 2019: The investigation deems the allegations credible. A file is sent to the CDF

- June 2019: Restrictions are imposed by Fr. Verschueren, Major Superior of DIR’

- July 2019: the CDF asks the Society to set up a penal administrative process

- January 2020: the judges (all are external to the Society of Jesus) unanimously say that there was indeed absolution of an accomplice

- May 2020: the CDF declares that the absolution of an accomplice happened and therefore declares that Fr. Rupnik is in the status of excommunication latae sententia; the excommunication is lifted by a CDF decree later that month.

The second case, on the other hand, concerns allegations of misconduct of Fr. Rupnik against members of Loyola Community

- June 2021: CDF contacts SJ General curia about allegations regarding Fr Rupnik and some members of Loyola community

- July 2021: Father General sets up a preliminary investigation led by a person external to the Society. Restrictions are imposed by Fr. Verschueren, Major Superior of DIR

- Jan 2022: The investigation concludes there was a case to answer. The results are sent to CDF with a recommendation of a penal process.

- October 2022: The CDF says the events are statute barred; no trial can proceed

- The July 2021 restrictions on the ministry of Fr Rupnik continue.