On Monday, April 21, shortly after the passing of Pope Francis, Sister Samuelle, a hermit nun from Aube in northeastern France, along with filmmaker Quentin Delcourt, unveiled an artistic initiative named Renaissance. This ambitious project involves the creation of a large 50-square-meter mosaic, collaboratively crafted by approximately a dozen nuns and monks who have suffered spiritual and sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, supported by journalists, lawyers, and allies.
The completed artwork will be segmented into 200 pieces, with the intention of permanently installing them in various sacred sites adorned by Marko Rupnik, a Jesuit priest and acclaimed mosaic artist who has faced allegations of psychological and sexual misconduct from around 40 women. Delcourt intentionally chose Easter for the project’s official launch, stating, ‘It symbolizes a resurrection along with its wounds.’
The timing of the pope’s death added an unforeseen depth to the initiative, particularly given the Jesuit pope’s ambiguous stance on these issues and the Italian media’s suspicions regarding his long-standing protection of Rupnik. In October 2023, the Vatican, which has the Redemptoris Mater chapel decorated by Rupnik, ultimately removed the statute of limitations to facilitate a trial, while still incorporating Rupnik’s mosaics in its online presence.
‘Pope Francis failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation and was unclear regarding Rupnik,’ remarked Sister Samuelle.
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