PopeWatch: Rupnik
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.

Why would a priest attempt to absolve an accomplice? I mean, it’s only you, the accomplice, and God in there, and all of you know it’s invalid. You could say anything you want to if you’re not taking it seriously. No one would ever know. Unless, maybe the accomplice, the one making the confession, doesn’t realize it’s invalid…but I’m guessing that the other person in this scenario is ordained too, right? I’m just confused by all this.
Pope Francis has given Rupnik the task of creating art for some important shrines/Churches around the world. He is clearly making sure Rupnik is protected and any legal proceedings are kept quiet. I would like to know what exactly happened back in Slovenia with those nuns and if any of it was consensual. That makes a difference because I find it strange that it was at a Religious Institution he founded.
The priest in the Sacrament of Penance is there in persona Christi. If the priest is not in the Sacrament of Penance in persona Christi, then he is a fake, fraud, and a liar.
That makes a difference because I find it strange that it was at a Religious Institution he founded.
That’s precisely why it doesn’t make a difference … He had authority over them.
No you miss the point. It makes a difference if it was consensual because it puts into question the intention of the order.
it puts into question the intention of the order.
To my knowledge, the order isn’t under scrutiny. You have a point, it probably should be, (If they’re sending checks back to Rome, it won’t be) but Rupnik has been given a pass, and consentuality shouldn’t enter into the case whatsoever.
(If they’re sending checks back to Rome, it won’t be) Spot on CAG.