The Rome-born lawyer and journalist has been working for the Vatican media for more than 20 years, until now mainly as a kind of programme director. His task is, therefore, to upgrade Radio Vatican/Vatican News.

Since July 2018, journalist Paolo Ruffini (67) has been the prefect and, thus, head of the communications department. He is the only layman at the head of a Vatican dicastery. At the same time, Francesco Valle (52) was appointed Deputy Director for "General Affairs" in the Dicastery for Communication.

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O'Malley, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM), urged Vatican offices to exercise pastoral prudence and avoid displaying Rupnik's art, which could imply exoneration or indifference to the suffering of abuse victims.

O'Malley's proactive stance contrasts with recent comments from Paolo Ruffini, head of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication.

Ruffini defended his office's use of Rupnik's artwork, stating "Removing, deleting, destroying art has not ever been a good choice". He stressed the importance of not prejudging Rupnik, as the investigation by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) is ongoing.

Rupnik, renowned for his large-scale mosaics adorning over 200 Catholic sites worldwide including the Vatican's Redemptoris Mater Chapel, faces accusations from at least 30 adult women.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Ruffini maintained that using existing images of Rupnik's work does not undermine the Church's commitment to supporting victims.

Abuse doesn't know age

The controversy arose during Ruffini's address at the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta where he suggested that removing Rupnik's art would not signify greater solidarity with victims.

He also said that "we're not talking about minors" and noted that, as Christians, "we are asked not to judge".

Ruffini's remarks sparked backlash, with critics arguing that the Church should demonstrate sensitivity by discontinuing the display of Rupnik's art until the investigation concludes.

One observer took issue with Ruffini's apparent dismissal of the allegations since they involve adults rather than minors, saying "Abuse doesn't know age".

In contrast, O'Malley's letter to Vatican departments highlighted the need to avoid sending a message that suggests the Holy See is indifferent to the psychological distress of abuse victims.

"Pope Francis has urged us to be sensitive to and walk in solidarity with those harmed by all forms of abuse" O'Malley wrote, and "to bear this in mind when choosing images to accompany the publication of messages, articles and reflections through the various communication channels available to us."

Sources

National Catholic Reporter

Crux Now

CathNews New Zealand

According to The Pillar news outlet, the records contain vital information. This includes rosters of synodal participants and their working group assignments.

Reports filed by these working groups at the conclusion of the first segment of the synod's discussion were also available.

Anyone with the correct web address could access the records openly without requiring a password.

The security failure has sent shockwaves through the Vatican and calls into question the level of confidentiality within the Synod.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has started an investigation into the matter.

Vatican embarrassed

The Pillar, in compliance with Pope Francis' request for restraint in press coverage of the synodal process, has refrained from publishing the names of members of individual working groups.

However, the revelation has left the Vatican embarrassed. It also exposed an extraordinary breach of the supposed wall of secrecy surrounding the Synod's proceedings.

One of the major concerns arising from this breach is the question of who else might have been spying on these confidential deliberations.

Additionally, the availability of the Synod's working group assignments raises doubts about the organisers' decision not to share this information with the media.

One journalist reported that Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod's information commission, said this week he did not have access to the names. He added he would be unwilling to obtain and share them with the media.

Inclusivity questioned

That such information appears to be withheld even from senior synodal participants but freely available on an unsecured server raises significant questions about the synodal secretariat's approach to internal information sharing and security.

Moreover, the reports reveal discrepancies with Synod leaders' claims that the assembly would focus on inclusivity rather than Church teaching.

Some working groups emphasised doctrinal fidelity, while at least one report proposed reconsidering doctrine on sexual morality.

The breach highlights a significant communication blunder. It undermines Pope Francis' emphasis on maintaining the confidentiality of Synod proceedings.

This secrecy is crucial to enabling Synod members to "express themselves freely."

Vatican representatives are yet to confirm the security status of the server. They have also refrained from outlining the action they intend to take in response to The Pillar's report.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

The Pillar

CathNews New Zealand

The clarification followed a recent interview given by German Cardinal Gerhard Müller to EWTN, raising questions about Pope Francis's call for a media 'fast'.

Italian layman Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications, addressed journalists during an October 6 press briefing.

"It's an assembly of brothers and sisters who have been given this time" to pray and reflect together, "then there is personal discernment in all of this.

"We are not speaking of punishment or not, but a personal discernment the pope asked of the members, and the discernment is left to each individual person," Ruffini said.

The Synod, titled "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission" opened on October 4 and is set to run until October 29. It is part of a multi-year process initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, culminating in a second discussion in October 2024.

"Fast" from publicity

Pope Francis had urged the 464 participants to refrain from media engagement to prioritise listening and maintain a certain "fast" from publicity.

"A certain asceticism" is needed for the synod, the pope said. He asked forgiveness from journalists trying to cover the month-long meeting.

Still, Pope Francis insisted "a certain fasting from public words" would be needed to ensure the proper spiritual atmosphere for the synod members.

While there would be no punishment for breaking pontifical secrecy, the guidelines for the synod stressed the importance of confidentiality and discretion among participants throughout the gathering.

Ruffini provided insight into the discussions, mentioning topics such as seminary formation, the role of the laity and women, the liturgy, welcoming the marginalised, and prioritising the poor.

The role and status of young people, women's participation and clericalism were also discussed.

Participants called for greater co-responsibility between pastors and the people, addressing clerical abuse and emphasising that the church is not just for the perfect but for all, especially those on the margins.

Synodality itself was a topic of discussion, with calls for active collaboration between pastors and the people.

Sources

CruxNow

UCA News

Catholic New Agency

CathNews New Zealand

Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication and president of the synod communication committee, told reporters on Sept 28 that the synod pilgrimage on Oct 12 "is an integral part of the synod program."

The pilgrimage will take participants to the catacombs of St Sebastian and of St Callistus and the nearby "Domine Quo Vadis" Church.

The church is where, according to tradition, St Peter, fleeing persecution in Rome, met the risen Jesus and asked him, "Domine quo vadis? (Lord, where are you going?) and Jesus replied, "I am coming to Rome to be crucified again."

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"The way we will communicate the synod is very important for the discernment process of the entire church," said Paolo Ruffini.

Ruffini heads the Vatican communications department and will conduct briefings on the event from October 4-29.

Despite its unassuming title, the Synod on Synodality marks the culmination of a three-year initiative by Pope Francis to engage the church at all levels.

This event has the potential to reshape the institution and establish a new governance system to address polarisation.

The success of this ambitious project relies on participants' belief in it.

The Vatican's Synod office has structured the event to promote healthy dialogue, including prayer, meditation, group retreats and small working groups guided by facilitators trained in synodality.

However, external perceptions remain beyond the Vatican's control.

The Catholic Church is currently grappling with issues such as LGBTQ+ inclusion, women's leadership roles and the accountability of bishops.

Anxiety surrounds how the synod will address these contentious topics, especially considering progressive stances taken by some local synodal expressions.

Synod not a television show

The Vatican Synod office maintains that speeches and conversations within the hall will remain confidential to encourage open dialogue.

Pope Francis stressed the need to preserve the "sacredness" of these discussions, emphasising that internal debates are typically not made public.

"We have to preserve the synodal environment," Pope Francis said when answering questions by journalists on his return flight from Mongolia on Monday (Sept 4).

"This isn't a television show where everything is on the table, no, it's a religious moment, a religious exchange" the pontiff stated.

A synthesis document will be made public at the synod's conclusion, but it won't be the final report. Another synod meeting is scheduled for the autumn of 2024 to issue a final document.

Media coverage will play a pivotal role in conveying the communal effort of the synod. Ruffini assured that the opening Mass, the first general assembly meeting and the opening sessions of each module will be live-streamed.

Previous synods have faced criticism for their lack of transparency, leading to sensationalised coverage.

The Synod on Synodality aims to break this pattern by issuing daily briefings and providing detailed information about its proceedings, engaging rank-and-file Catholics in the process.

Sources

Religion News Service

Hawaii Catholic Herald

Ruffini was tapped to run the newly created department for communications, which brought together nine previously independent operations.

Originally established as the Secretariat for Communication in 2015 and led by Monsignor Dario Edoardo Viganò, it was turned into the Dicastery for Communication by Pope Francis on July 2018, after Viganò was forced to resign following the mishandling of a letter from Pope emeritus Benedict XVI that provoked a global outcry.

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Christians must do more to make sure the media, especially social networks, are places of dialogue and respect for others.

Communicaitons should not provide a means of highlighting differences and increasing divisions, Francis's new prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini explains. Read more