Aparecida shrine in Brazil set to unveil more artwork linked to Rupnik

On Sept. 12, Brazil’s National Shrine of Aparecida is set to unveil the mosaics on the basilicaʼs west façade. The artwork was created by the Aletti Center, a school dedicated to promoting sacred art that was founded in Rome by the former Jesuit priest and artist Father Marko Ivan Rupnik .

The artwork, which bears the unmistakable hallmarks of Rupnik’s style, completes the “Biblical Journey” project, an initiative that covered the shrineʼs four façades with mosaics depicting biblical scenes.

Rupnik faces accusations of spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse against dozens of nuns — incidents that, in some cases, occurred within the context of his artistic work. He was expelled from the Society of Jesus in June 2023 for disobeying a superiorʼs order not to preach publicly and is currently facing a canonical trial before the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In contrast to the basilicaʼs decision to retain Rupnikʼs art, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France plans to cover all of Rupnikʼs mosaics on the façade of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary ahead of the visit by Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for Sept. 26–27.

The bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes,…