CARDINAL DOLAN ON FUNERAL FOR TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST IN NY CATHEDRAL – DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH REVIEWS RUPNIK CASE DOCUMENTATION AS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

CARDINAL DOLAN ON FUNERAL FOR TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST IN NY CATHEDRAL

The link below is from Sirius radio’s weekly Conversation with Cardinal Dolan, a show hosted every Tuesday by Paulist Father Dave Dwyer. He also hosts the 3-hour nightly show, “Busted Halo” on Sirius. At just after the 6:20 mark, the cardinal talks about the funeral service for a transgender activist that took place last Thursday in St. Patrick’s  cathedral that created such a scandal.  https://thegoodnewsroom.org/conversation-with-cardinal-dolan-february-20-2024/

DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH REVIEWS RUPNIK CASE DOCUMENTATION AS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Holy See Press Office offered an update on the ongoing investigation by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith into allegations against Fr. Marko Rupnik, the former Jesuit whom several religious sisters have accused of psychological and sexual abuse.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

The Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) has contacted several institutions over the past months to obtain documentation related to Fr. Marko Rupnik, a Slovenian-born former Jesuit and artist.

The Holy See Press Office confirmed on Wednesday that the DDF’s investigation has been expanded into other ecclesial realities with which there had previously been no contact.

The press office said the investigation is continuing into allegations against Fr. Rupnik, who has been accused of inflicting psychological and sexual abuse on several adult consecrated women. He was dismissed from the Society of Jesus in June 2023.

On October 27, Pope Francis entrusted the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith with the task of examining the case, after deciding to “waive the statute of limitations to allow the proceedings to take place.”

 

DDF courtyard (Vatican media)

The decision was taken after the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, in September, sent the Pope some reports it had received regarding “serious problems” in the handling of the Rupnik case and “the lack of closeness to the victims.”

Identifying proper procedures
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Holy See Press Office said: “In recent months, following the responsibility received from the Pope at the end of October, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith contacted the institutions involved in different capacities in the case to receive all available information related to the case.”

“After expanding the search to realities not previously contacted and having just received the latest elements in response, it will now be necessary to study the acquired documentation in order to identify which procedures can and should be implemented,” explained the Press Office.

Two former consecrated women hold press conference in Rome
Also on Wednesday, February 21, two former consecrated members of the Loyola Community held a press conference in Rome at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Italian Press (FNSI).

The women were Gloria Branciani and Mirjam Kovac, who are Italian- and Slovenian-born, respectively.

Accompanied by their lawyer, Laura Sgrò, Ms. Branciani spoke of “physical, psychological, and sexual abuses” she personally experienced at the hands of Fr. Rupnik when she was young.

Ms. Kovac told reporters about the “spiritual abuse and abuse of conscience” she endured and other abuses she had learned about, which were carried out by someone who was considered a reference figure in the religious community.

The two former nuns said they hope to now obtain truth and justice, without any “personal revenge.”

“I have forgiven myself, and I have forgiven Rupnik,” said Ms. Branciani, reiterating her hope that “the truth and the wrong suffered may be recognized.”

IN FINANCE PROBE, VATICAN OFFICIAL HAS HOME, OFFICE SEARCHED

IN FINANCE PROBE, VATICAN OFFICIAL HAS OFFICE, HOME SEARCHED

A communiqué from the Holy See Press Office this afternoon, Feb 18:

“This morning, as part of a search ordered by the Promotor of Justice, Gian Piero Milano, and Deputy Alessandro Diddi, a seizure of documents and computer equipment was carried out at both the office and home of Msgr. Alberto Perlasca, former head of Administrative Office of the First Section of the Secretariat of State. The measure, taken as part of the investigation into financial investments and in the real estate sector of the Secretariat of State, and respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence, is to be connected to what emerged from the first interrogations of the officials (who were) investigated and suspended from service at the time. The Promoter’s Office and the Gendarmerie Corps continue administrative and accounting investigations and cooperative activities with foreign investigative authorities.”

(JFL: On July 26, 2019, Pope Francis appointed as substitute Promotor of Justice at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura Msgr. Alberto Perlasca, previously employed in the General Affairs Section of the Secretariat of State.

Perlasca’s biography, made public that day, says: Born in Como on July 21, 1960, Msgr. Perlasca was ordained a priest for the diocese of Como on June 13, 1992. He graduated in law at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 2006 he was made a monsignor (chaplain to His Holiness). In October 2003 he was hired at the Legal Office of the General Affairs Section of the Secretariat of State and incorporated into the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See.

From April 2006 until May 2008 he worked in the apostolic nunciature in Argentina. He then returned to the Secretariat of State at the Administrative Office, heading that since July 2009. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the (Vatican’s) Pension Fund and Health Care Fund (FAS) and of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital. He is also a member of the Board of Auditors of the Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation.

He has held various positions, including consultor to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Msgr. Perlasca has remained active in the canonical sphere, participating, among other things, in various academic activities. In addition to Italian, he knows English, French and Spanish.)