Aparecida shrine celebrates Rupnik-designed western facade

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in São Paulo, Brazil, celebrated the completion of its western facade on Sept. 12. The ceremony included music, prayers, biblical dramatizations, and fireworks to mark the installation of mosaics designed by Father Marko Rupnik.

The Centro Aletti, an art studio founded by Father Rupnik, is credited with the installation that surrounds the basilica. Father Fabio Evaristo, the shrine administrator, told TV Aparecida that visitors will remember the people who helped complete the work and the community that came together to accomplish it.

Father Rupnik faces decades of allegations involving sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse. While the Jesuits dismissed him for refusing to obey restrictive measures imposed after the allegations were found credible, he was received into the Diocese of Koper in Slovenia less than two months later. His canonical trial remains under review by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. An online video recently raised questions regarding his participation in the installation of these mosaics.