Victims of Slovenian Priest on Trial Accuse Vatican of Abandoning Them

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Vatican City: Victims of Slovenian priest and renowned mosaic artist Marko Rupnik say they feel 'abandoned and betrayed' by the Vatican over the lack of information about his sexual violence trial.

Rupnik, 71, is accused of psychological and sexual abuse involving at least 20 women over nearly three decades, mainly within a religious community he once led in Ljubljana. His mosaics can be found at major religious sites around the world, including in Fatima, Washington and the Vatican.

The Vatican initially closed the case in 2022, citing the statute of limitations. However, the late Pope Francis later ordered the case to be reopened. Five judges were appointed last year to oversee a canonical trial, although the Vatican has provided no details about its progress.

A lawyer representing five alleged victims said repeated requests for information had been ignored. The Vatican has denied reports that Rupnik was secretly acquitted, saying the case remains under review and that details cannot be disclosed while proceedings are ongoing.

Pope Leo XIV has said the Church must respect the rights of everyone involved in lengthy legal proceedings, while acknowledging that asking victims to be patient can be difficult. The case has become a major test of his approach to sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, with critics saying the Church's legal system leaves victims with little access to case information.