Jesuits say abuse accusations against priest highly credible, restrictions tightened

FILE PHOTO: People walk near St. Peter's Square on a foggy day ahead of the mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis to mark the World Day of Peace in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, January 1, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - The Jesuit Roman Catholic religious order said on Tuesday that accusations of sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse against a prominent member were highly credible and that restrictions against him have been tightened.

The order said in a statement on its website it intended to start what it called an "internal procedure" against the priest, Father Marko Ivan Rupnik, a well-known artist of religious themes.