VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Thursday denounced psychological violence and abuse of power in Cathedralsuch as the case of a famous priest accused of abusing his authority to sexually abuse nuns has shaken the Vatican.
The 86-year-old pope made his comments during his annual Christmas address to cardinals, bishops and other members of the Curia, the Vatican’s central government.
Pope Francis often took this opportunity to criticize perceived flaws in the top bureaucracy, such as gossip, factions, and infighting.
After referring to wars, the Pope said: “Besides violence of weapons, there is violence of words, violence of psychology, violence of abuse of power, violence of rumors.”
He added that no one should “profit from their position and role to put others down”.
Although he did not specifically mention this, the Jesuits, of which the pope is a member, have been disturbed in recent weeks by the case of Father Marko Ivan. Rupnika Slovenian priest known to the Church for his artwork, including the design of a chapel in the Vatican.
Rupnik was accused of psychologically and sexually abusing nuns in Slovenia three decades ago while he was the spiritual director of their convent there.
Repeated attempts to reach Rupnik through his religious art school in Rome were unsuccessful and he did not respond to messages left there.
Under pressure from the media, the Jesuits admitted earlier this month that Rupnik had been disciplined at least twice in recent years when alleged victims spoke out but were told by the clerical office. Vatican attorney quietly pardoned.
One case involved the “exemption of complicity” in the confessional, referring to when a priest has sex with someone and then pardon that person.
A former nun accused him of “psychologically” controlling her.
The Jesuits have effectively reopened the case, posting a letter on their website on Sunday asking anyone wanting new complaints or discussing existing ones to contact them.
The 86-year-old pope made his comments during his annual Christmas address to cardinals, bishops and other members of the Curia, the Vatican’s central government.
Pope Francis often took this opportunity to criticize perceived flaws in the top bureaucracy, such as gossip, factions, and infighting.
After referring to wars, the Pope said: “Besides violence of weapons, there is violence of words, violence of psychology, violence of abuse of power, violence of rumors.”
He added that no one should “profit from their position and role to put others down”.
Although he did not specifically mention this, the Jesuits, of which the pope is a member, have been disturbed in recent weeks by the case of Father Marko Ivan. Rupnika Slovenian priest known to the Church for his artwork, including the design of a chapel in the Vatican.
Rupnik was accused of psychologically and sexually abusing nuns in Slovenia three decades ago while he was the spiritual director of their convent there.
Repeated attempts to reach Rupnik through his religious art school in Rome were unsuccessful and he did not respond to messages left there.
Under pressure from the media, the Jesuits admitted earlier this month that Rupnik had been disciplined at least twice in recent years when alleged victims spoke out but were told by the clerical office. Vatican attorney quietly pardoned.
One case involved the “exemption of complicity” in the confessional, referring to when a priest has sex with someone and then pardon that person.
A former nun accused him of “psychologically” controlling her.
The Jesuits have effectively reopened the case, posting a letter on their website on Sunday asking anyone wanting new complaints or discussing existing ones to contact them.
