Jack Saint Martin (Mgr Jean Marc Micas) / Facebook (Left), Rosary Basilica in Lourdes, France (Right)
CV NEWS FEED // The Bishop of Lourdes has issued a statement saying that now is not the right time to decide whether to remove the mosaics at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which were done by former Jesuit Marko Rupnik.
Rupnik was expelled from the Jesuits in 2023 following accusations of spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse of several nuns. Prior to his expulsion, Rupnik had been well-known for his famous mosaics, which adorn churches and chapels worldwide, like in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lourdes and the Pope St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C.
According to Vatican News, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes stated that “many victims of sexual violence and abuse by clerics, have expressed their suffering and the violence” they feel when viewing the mosaics inside the Lourdes Basilica.
He added that the mosaics have further proved to be a source of controversy and conflict within the Church.
“Today, I see that opinions are very divided and often divided,” Bishop Micas stated. “Should we leave these mosaics where they are? Should they be destroyed? Should they be removed or exposed elsewhere? There is no consensus on any of the proposals. The positions taken are lively and passionate.”
He said that he has established a commission to discuss the mosaics and conducted his own research on whether to keep them.
While Bishop Micas said that his personal opinion is that it would be better to remove the mosaics out of respect for all sexual abuse victims, he added that the decision would not be “mature” enough and would only add to the controversy and anger surrounding the mosaics.
He also said that the shrine welcomes “everyone, especially those who suffer, including victims of abuse and violence, both children and adults.”
Bishop Micas continued:
“[At Lourdes,] the suffering and the injured who need consolation and reparation must be put first.”
As a measure to mitigate the opposition to the mosaics, Bishop Micas said that the mosaics will no longer be highlighted by the light display during every evening’s Marian procession.
