An extraordinary beauty, not without blemishes. The parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie of Coneglianoin the Monticella district, last May 26th inaugurated (quietly) the splendid mosaics created by the atelier of the Centro Aletti, a Roman theological and artistic association founded by a much discussed figure within the Church: Don Marko Rupnik, priest, theologian, Christian artist among the most celebrated in the world. But also a former member of the Society of Jesus expelled in 2023 following various episodes of sexual abuse against religious sisters that emerged starting from 2021.
The mosaics in Conegliano and the contested author
The mosaics, created by an ecumenical team of artists of the Aletti Center, with whom Father Marko continues to collaborate, are recognized by the light and colors in sacred places throughout Europe. From Lourdes to Fatima to San Giovanni Rotondo, from the Redemptoris Mater chapel in the Vatican to the sanctuary of John Paul II in Krakow. In the Conegliano church, theirs breathtaking beauty made of pastel colors combined with strong shades – from gold, to red, to intense blue – it speaks to the faithful of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ on the large wall of the presbytery.
The offerings of the faithful to create the mosaics
Next to it, to the left of the ambo, you can admire the Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth. Finally, in the walls of the Blessed Sacrament, to the right of the altar, the miraculous catch and the two disciples of Emmaus. «A splendid synthesis between art and faith»: so we read in the brochure presenting the works, available to faithful and visitors at the entrance to the place of worship. The overall cost of the works is not known. What is certain is that there was the contribution of the faithful as revealed, not far from the entrance, by the mailbox «mosaic offer». In addition to support of 15 thousand euros from the municipal administration.
«Exhibition organized before the scandal»
The first contacts with the Aletti Center began almost twenty years ago, when the parish priest was Massimo Magagnin, but the project stopped with the death of the priest. It was therefore the current parish priest of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Don Pietro Bortolini a resume the thread of the dialogue with the Roman atelier in 2018 and to follow the progress of the works completed last March. In the meantime, however, it is the scandal involving the former Jesuit broke out.
The explanation: “We didn’t know about those accusations”
«The diocese has become aware of the accusations made to Father Rupnik only after the mosaic project had started – says Don Alessio Magoga of the press office of the diocese of Vittorio Veneto -. For this project, it is worth remembering, the parish interfaced with the Aletti Center, several years before the Rupnik case broke out. Furthermore, it must be specified that the project was conceived by the Aletti Center, which does not exactly coincide with the person of Father Rupnik. It should be added the non-negligible fact that on the case a canonical trial is underway which will have to ascertain their responsibilities and it will therefore be the final sentence that declares their guilt or innocence. Finally – concludes Don Magoga – one of the indications that were given within the canonical procedure the case is that the works started by the Aletti Center and already partially financed, as in the case of the mosaics of Madonna delle Grazie, were completed. And that’s what was done.”
The previous controversies over the quality of the work
After the controversy raised by the architect of the Conegliano church, Nerino Meneghello, on the alleged poor formal level of the mosaics, the Rupnik affair is destined to spark discussion and it has not left the current parish priest indifferent. Who, however, underlines the importance of distinguishing the person from the artistic result: Caravaggio killed, but his works are no less sublime for this.
