VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Thursday denounced psychological violence and abuse of energy within the Church, because the case of a distinguished priest accused of exploiting his authority to sexually abuse nuns has rocked the Vatican.
The 86-year-old pope made his feedback in his annual Christmas tackle to cardinals, bishops and different members of the Curia, the central administration of the Vatican.
Francis has typically used the event to decry perceived flaws within the prime paperwork, reminiscent of gossip, cliques and infighting.
After mentioning wars, the pope stated: “Besides the violence of arms, there is also verbal violence, psychological violence, the violence of the abuse of power, the hidden violence of gossip.”
He added that nobody ought to “profit from his or her position and role in order to demean others.”
Although he didn’t particularly consult with this, the Jesuit order, of which the pope is a member, has been rattled in latest weeks by the case of Father Marko Ivan Rupnik, a Slovenian priest identified within the Church for his paintings, together with the designing of a chapel within the Vatican.
Rupnik has been accused of psychologically and sexually abusing nuns in Slovenia three a long time in the past whereas he was the non secular director of their convent there.
Repeated makes an attempt to succeed in Rupnik by his college for spiritual artwork in Rome haven’t been not profitable and he didn’t reply to messages left there.
Under stress from the media, the Jesuits acknowledged earlier this month that Rupnik was disciplined at the very least twice lately as alleged victims got here ahead however was quietly pardoned by the Vatican’s doctrinal workplace.
One case concerned the “absolution of an accomplice” in confession, referring to when a priest has intercourse with somebody after which absolves the particular person of the sin.
One former nun has accused him of exercising “psycho-spiritual” management over her.
The Jesuits have successfully reopened the case, posting a letter on their web site on Sunday asking anybody wishing to make new complaints or talk about present ones to contact them. — Reuters
