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PDF versionVatican denies corruption charges attributed to U.S. nuncio
by John L Allen Jr on Jan. 26, 2012
The Vatican this morning dismissed as “biased and banal” a broadcast on Italian television yesterday evening suggesting that a senior church official, who is today the pope’s ambassador in the United States, issued a blunt warning to Benedict XVI in March 2011 about financial corruption in the Vatican.
A Vatican spokesperson also appeared to threaten legal action against the broadcast, which named a handful of senior officials and financial advisors in the Vatican as involved in alleged mismanagement and lack of adequate financial controls.
The broadcast, which appeared on one of Italy’s leading commercial networks, focused on Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, named in October as Benedict’s new nuncio to the United States. Prior to that position, Viganò had served as the number two official in the government of the Vatican city-state, where he earned a reputation as a financial reformer.
Reportedly, Viganò’s insistence on centralized accounting procedures and accountability for cost overruns helped turn a U.S. $10.5 million deficit for the city-state into a surplus of $44 million in the span of a year.
It had already been widely reported that Viganò’s new controls produced backlash among administrators of individual departments, such as the Vatican museums and Vatican gardens, long accustomed to operating in semi-autonomous fashion. Several analysts suggested that Viganò’s transfer to the United States amounted to a face-saving way of resolving these internal tensions.
Last night’s broadcast, however, claimed to reveal a private letter allegedly written by Viganò to Benedict XVI last spring, in an effort to head off his removal. Its key line is the following: “My transfer would provoke confusion among all those who’ve believed that it’s possible to clean up so many situations of corruption and dishonesty.”
According to the broadcast, that letter was dated March 27, 2011, roughly six months before Viganò was sent to the United States. Notably, today’s Vatican statement expressed “bitterness” over the disclosure of private documents, but did not dispute the letter’s authenticity.
The program also quoted another letter allegedly sent to the pope, in which Viganò reportedly wrote of the financial procedures in the Vatican city-state, “I would never have imagined finding myself in such a disastrous situation,” which he called “unimaginable,” and further asserted that “everyone in the curia knows it.”
NCR: February 17-March 1, 2012
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Work of missioners, past and future; African meetings; and more
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This morning, the Vatican spokesperson, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, issued a lengthy statement in response to the broadcast. The following is the full text of that statement, in an NCR translation from Italian.
As it happens, the Vatican also announced this morning its ratification of three United Nations conventions intended to curb corrupt financial transactions: one concerning illicit traffic in narcotics, another on repressing the financing of international terrorism, and a third on organized trans-national crime.
* * *
NOTE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRESS OFFICE OF THE HOLY SEE, FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI S.J., REGARDING A TELEVISION PROGRAM
The television program “The Untouchables” broadcast yesterday evening, accompanied by the usual assortment of articles and commentary, could be the object of multiple considerations, beginning with the debatable methods and the journalistic expedients with which it was realized, and continuing with bitterness for the diffusion of private documents. But this is not, for now, what we principally want to talk about, as this sort of thing has become all too familiar, both as a general method and as a style of biased information with regard to the Vatican and the Catholic church. We propose instead two simple considerations which have not been given space in the discussion.
First, the action undertaken by Monsignor Viganò as Secretary General of the Government certainly had many positive aspects, contributing to a style of leadership characterized by the quest for administrative rigor, for savings, and for straightening out a generally difficult economic situation. These results, obtained during the presidency of Cardinal Lajolo, are clear, and aren’t denied by anyone. A more adequate evaluation, however, would require taking into consideration the ups and downs of the markets, of investment criteria in recent years, as well as keeping in mind other important circumstances – for instance, the notable results of the activity of the Vatican Museums, with an increased influx of visitors and more ample opening hours. It’s also important to remember the non-economic aims of the Vatican city-state, which are of support to the mission of the universal church and which require significant expenses, and so on.
Further, certain accusations, including some which are extremely serious, made in the course of the program – in particular, those against members of the Finance and Administration Committee of the Government of the City-State, and against the Secretariat of State and His Holiness -- require the Secretariat of State and the Government of the city-state to pursue all appropriate options, including, if necessary, legal remedies, in order to defend the honor of persons of moral integrity and recognized professionalism, who loyally serve the church, the pope, and the common good.
In any case, the positive criteria of correct and healthy administration and of transparency, which inspired Monsignor Viganò, certainly continue to be those which also guide the current officials of the Government, in their demonstrated competence and integrity. That’s consistent with the aim of ever greater transparency and trustworthiness, and of attentive control of economic activity, to which the Holy See is clearly committed, the difficulties notwithstanding – as is demonstrated even today, by coincidence, with the news of adhesion to international conventions. In sum, the change in leadership of the Government certainly is not intended as a step back with respect to transparency and rigor, but another step forward.
Second, discussions and tensions, including understandable differences of opinion and positions, are subjected to the evaluation of higher authority precisely because these authorities are in a position to see the questions in broader perspective, and with more comprehensive criteria. A difficult procedure of discernment about various aspects of the exercise of government in a complex and differentiated institution such as the Government of the Vatican City-State – which cannot be limited simply to matters of appropriate administrative rigor – was presented instead in a partial and banal way, evidently exalting the negative aspects. The easy result is presenting the structures of government of the church not so much as touched by human frailty, which would be easily understandable, but as deeply characterized by fights, divisions, and interest group struggles. On this point, we say without fear that [the broadcast] went, as they often go, well beyond reality; that the general situation of the Government is not as negative as they want to make people believe; and that a great deal of disinformation cannot obscure the daily and serene effort in view of ever great transparency of all the Vatican institutions.
Finally, it must not be forgotten that the Government of the Church has at its top a Pontiff of deep and prudent judgment, who, beyond any doubt, merits the serenity and the trust which those who work for the church and all the faithful rightly expect. In this sense, it should also be decisively reaffirmed that entrusting the position of nuncio in the United States to Monsignor Viganò, one of the most important duties in all of Vatican diplomacy given the importance of both the country and of the Catholic church in the United States, is proof of the pope’s unquestionable esteem and trust.
From the official press
From the official press release of the Vatican as quoted in this article: "Finally, it must not be forgotten that the Government of the Church has at its top a Pontiff of deep and prudent judgment, who, beyond any doubt, merits the serenity and the trust which those who work for the church and all the faithful rightly expect. "
We all saw where that idea got us with the recent global sexual scandal and cover-up under the Pontiff's deep and prudent judgment. Hate to tell the Pontiff, but the notion of his meriting "beyond any doubt the serenity and trust" of the faithful is shattered. We aren't morons!
The hierarchs in the Vatican
The hierarchs in the Vatican don't think "We [are] morons." They think of us as serfs. More appropriate to the gospels: SHEEP!
Baaaaaahhhh, Baaaaaahhhh, Baaaaaaahhhh!
oh, the blood hounds are out
oh, the blood hounds are out ...
Yep. I hear them baying.
Yep. I hear them baying.
The pathology is remarkably
The pathology is remarkably consistent and should play out thusly:
Step 1: Deny their is a scandal. Accuse media of misrepresentation. Threaten legal action.
Step 2 Admit there many be some scandal but it is very minor and is being vigorously remedied. Blame media for enflaming the issue. Threaten legal action.
Step 3 Admit the scandal is significant and appeal for forgiveness and healing. Accuse media of vulture journalism. Defend against legal action.
Step 4: Claim scandal is behind us and was never as bad as portrayed.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1-5.
Clear, concise description of
Clear, concise description of the Vatican's abuse and corruption scandal defense!
I love it!
We didn't. We might have but
We didn't.
We might have but we didn't know.
We knew but didn't realize it mattered.
It wasn't our fault.
It was our fault but there's not much we can do about it now.
From Herald.ie 5/21/09
The pathology of
The pathology of anti-clericals morons:
1- Take every news against the Church as true and every news who defends the Church as false with maximum bias and prejudice against the Church.
2- Inflate and spread every bad thing you come across, even if it is false. Fuel everything you do with your personal hatred of the Church and eliminate all reason and sound judgment.
3- Make rabid posts on the internet accusing the Church of being responsible for everything bad in the world.
4- If the Church does something good downplay it to the maximum, saying it’s irrelevant and ignore such good things in every discussion you have regarding the Church.
5- Make ignorant and grammatically incorrect posts on NCR & repeat 1-5.
6- In everything you do: if you don’t hate the Church with unconditional bias you ain’t cool.
The pathology of Catholic
The pathology of Catholic paranoia:
(1) See every revelation by the media of the Catholic Church's dishonesty and lack of transparency as an attack on the integrity and welfare of the Church
(2) When accusation or allegations are made, dismiss them as anti-Catholic rhetoric and baseless
(3) Ignore the history of the Church's attempts to conceal, distract and minimize it's mistakes
(4) Blame the messengers and characterize them as "disgruntled" or "problematic" clergy, religious or laity with and agenda
(5) Control the damage of public perception through procrastination and unresponsiveness
(6) Eliminate problematic individuals through promotion or threats, e.g. suspension, silencing or excommunication
(7) Deflect criticism by blaming others, cf. culture (see John Jay report) global economy, human weakness, other.....
(8) Never indicate the slightest evidence of honesty, transparency or responsibility, rather portray the image of self-control and competency, if necessary refer to the divine nature of the organization. Only make references of its human nature if errors are universally recognized
(9) Under no circumstances ever admit weakness or error in judgment as this will cause doubt and distrust amongst the faithful
Pathology of Paranoia: Great
Pathology of Paranoia: Great observations, even though they are "Observations on the Obvious!" Catholic Paranoia, in my home, in parochial school and in the church are among the myriad of reasons why I left the Church. Whenever I hear Bill Donohue from the Catholic League, it reinforces ALL of the reasons why I left the Church. This story is but another example of how the Church will do anything to protect Herself against SCANDAL! Watch Her create a bigger one with all of Her denials!
Watch what you say about my
Watch what you say about my Gramma! Them's fightin' words.
If the shoes fits, wear it.
If the shoes fits, wear it.
That play book has worked
That play book has worked magnificently for 1500 years. No need to mess with success. Baaaaa.
My instinct tells me that the
My instinct tells me that the Vatican is doing a lot of lying here. Nice example for the flock. Perhaps I should consider trying this behavior out myself and stop being a fool by thinking that honesty and humility are valuable.
By the way, didn't JPI also think there was corruption that needed to be addressed?
Yes, and you see where it got
Yes, and you see where it got JPI.
There was a rumor at the time that the president of the Vatican Bank (later found hanged under a London bridge) came up about $2 billion short due to dubious investments. There is more to the story but telling would probably get this post expunged.
Something is rotten in
Something is rotten in Denmark!
How do you relieve someone of their position when they have turned a $10.5 million deficit into a $44 million profit? Archbishop Vigano deserves a seat on the New York stock exchange.....The tone of Father Lombardi's response is defensive and accusatory, regardless of what may or may not be responsible journalism on behalf of the Italian television station, the threat of legal remedies by the Vatican is a smokescreen. Does anyone really think that the Vatican would welcome the exposure of their financial records in a court of law. Secondly, "the ups and downs of the financial markets" as well as lengthening the hours of the Vatican's museums do not readily appear as the legitimate causes of the financial turn around of the Vatican's books. I have no doubt that the global economy might be improving but it does not fit the time frame being discussed. Despite the numbers who visit the Vatican museums each day, I find it truly difficult to believe that the number of visitors has increased to the degree that would warrant such revenue. I smell a "rat"....We've seen this before haven't we? The lack of transparency, the defensiveness and the arrogance are all too familiar....Archbishop Vigano seems to have pursued a course of transparency and honesty but such characteristics are not welcome in a Church which prides itself on secrecy and obfuscation.
WHAT ELSE could they say? The
WHAT ELSE could they say? The guy is correct?
Job Opening — According to
Job Opening — According to Reuters, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said he would not expect to be asked to continue as Treasury chief if President Barack Obama wins re-election. I definitely see a job opening for Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. It might be too difficult "to wear two hats" but perhaps a consultant...? Going from a deficit of 10.5 million to a surplus of 44 million in the span of a year? That definitely deserves serious consideration.
Excellent comment, Outside
Excellent comment, Outside the Box. Wished I had thought of it first. Seriously. A deficit of 10.5 million turns into a 44 million dollar surplus almost overnight? And the explanations from the press officer pointing to increased visitors to the Vatican museums as one of the reasons for the sudden surge of monies into the Vatican treasury and some vague mention of market selections being a contributing factor - well, the sheer audacity of these explanations leaves one breathless. Where are Monty Python when we need them?
Monty Python is too busy with
Monty Python is too busy with the Spanish Inquisition. Google it along with "Youtube."
A rumor Romney wants to hire
A rumor Romney wants to hire Fr Lombardi to explain his 13.9% tax rate.
Good old journalistic
Good old journalistic arrogance: an almost absolute authority that cannot be challenged. Journalists hide behind the right to express their opinion and the freedom of the press, but they disregard the right of the readers to not be lied to.
Viganò was given a difficult task, to fix the financial difficulties of the Vatican, and so he did. There is no institution where such austerity measures will not create friction, discontent, especially when department used to operating in a semi-autonomous fashion suddenly get reigned in. I am not sure why the ‘surprise’? Have you tried to bring about a financial reform of your parish, or your company lately, where a bunch of people longstanding practices suddenly get clipped? And what was the reaction? Good grief, get a life!
The media, of course, makes this into a great revelation ….
The fact is that nobody, not even the sleazy TV programme, claims that any of Viganò’s measure were reversed! So what is the fuss?
Remember that one of the very
Remember that one of the very first items on the agenda of Pope John Paul I was to clean up the Vatican Bank. We heard nothing since, but JP I was dead less than 30 days after stating his intentions. We know that the Vatican Bank is the money launderers of the world and that they were forced by the European Union Banks to begin to abide by European banking rules last spring. I know there will be those that claim the Vatican Bank made these changes on their own, but they would never had changed without the vehement input from the major banking system. The real question is how does such a corrupt system change from within. Probably it has not and will not until someone such as John Paul I is able to live long enough to make those changes!!!
More papal murder conspiracy
More papal murder conspiracy theories from "In the name of God" and "Godfather, Part III".
Isn't it an extraordinary
Isn't it an extraordinary display of Christian virtue and Vatican II theology that any and every mention of popes and bishops is met with outbursts of hatred and venom, and the only good prelates ever mentioned here are dead ones? It reminds one of Dante's Inferno, where Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the gates of hell, would snarl and slobber on cue. See how they love one another!
"See how they love one
"See how they love one another!"
You *are* referring to those perverted clergy, their episcopal handlers, and an indifferent pope, are you not?
I'll break the dead prelate
I'll break the dead prelate praise pattern for you ,Denise,since you're a virtuous colleen :John 23 was decent.... but I wouldn't give two pence for all the other dead popes put together.....snap, snarl.....but hey, I'm only 70 and my conscience probably isn't "fully formed"....I'll pray on it, OK?...
Sadly, I did not note any
Sadly, I did not note any Christian virtue and Vatican II theology in your posting. So it is clear that the problem goes both ways, wouldn't you agree? But let's look a little deeper than the immediate reactions to a partial source of what you describe as "outbursts of hatred and venom..." Right now, and for many years to come, any note of impropriety by the Church is going to get blasted as a result of the widespread sexual abuse that is still being revealed in it's extent and depth, and the ways that the Church - on all levels - handled it with distortion, blaming the victims, opposition to open examination, "fogging" the facts that were known by bishops to be true, and so on - everyone knows the story. But another and far-reaching consequence is the erosion of trust and immediate disbelief of whatever defense is offered by the official Church when it sounds JUST LIKE what was offered when the abuse scandal began to break. So I find it very understandable, I pray for all of us that the truth be clearly revealed sometime soon, and that we can move on from this apparent failure of the Vatican - again. On a side note - does anyone recall Benedict's order in recent years to institute new accounting processes that conform to World Bank standards? So I have felt there was indeed some movement on this.
Love the repeated use of
Love the repeated use of "serene." It's like the Church is turning into G&S's Mikado.
David, don't forget step # 6:
David, don't forget step # 6: "Yes, we're corrupt, but other institutions ( fill in the blank) are much worse!"
O, yeah!!! :-)
O, yeah!!!
:-)
the Vatican corrupt ? who
the Vatican corrupt ? who knew ? get serious ,folks...wait...I hear a voice: "beware the LEAVEN of the scribes and Pharisees".....
Why should we be surprised
Why should we be surprised that a clueless old man turned over the reigns of this Church to self-serving, vainglorious thieves, sycophants, and assorted criminals. Leaving the day to day administration of the once glorious Holy Roman Church in their hands while preferring to write books and give sermons.
It should be manifestly clear by now, our Church of the Ages, Catholicism Inc., as we have known it from history is like the crazy old aunt in the cellar. Everyone now does his own thing, including the cardinals, while giving lip service to poor old auntie downstairs. Forever toasting her good health, but knowing full well she's a dying old woman in need of resuscitation.
Reform must now start in root and branch. Bringing down this decrepit edifice and rebuilding the Holy Church upon the sure foundations of Sacred Tradition, the Patristic Fathers, and Holy Scripture. Bishops must take the lead everywhere or be left with having to choose between their own flock,or taking unquestioning orders from venal old reprobates out of touch with the True Church around them.
Epikeia:An indulgent and
Epikeia:An indulgent and benign interpretation of law, which regards a law as not applying in a particular case because of circumstances unforeseen by the lawmaker.
It's about time that local bishops exercise Epikeia and simply ignore the Vatican! The good of the church and churchs entrusted to them demands it. Yes, some individual dioceses will probably be worse off than they are now. But, unless bishops as a whole take back their pastoral responsibilities the ministry of Jesus entrusted to us all will simply continue to be blunted and shredded.
Thanks Dave for making my
Thanks Dave for making my day. I’ve not heard that word “Epikeia” for more than 60 years since I studied “canon law” as a youngster. We used to have great times applying it for all kinds of shenanigans.
Nevertheless in real life for more than 20 years, I had a wonderful “real missionary bishop” who besides his official “episcopal motto” which nobody recalled, had this real common sense motto which he applied as necessary: “Rome understands, and if they don’t, they ought to.”
As you say Dave, getting local control back into the hands of sensible bishops just as Vatican II tried to do, might still help our Church to rediscover the only reason for its existence: “Abbá Father, Thy Kingdom come on earth just as it is in heaven.” - - that “other possible society”, that “other possible world” so different from the one we have made for ourselves today where every 4 seconds one of our sisters or brothers dies of hunger, we fight wars for petroleum and geo-political maneuvering, and placidly watch as our greed destroys our planet, our very own Mother Earth.
Justiniano de Managua el 28 de enero, 2012
Apparently Epikeia is very
Apparently Epikeia is very popular in Rome, in certain circumstances. They have apparently decided that most of the important decisions of the highest authority in the Church -- an Ecumenical Council -- don't apply.
To put it differently, they have no respect for the rule of law. Like Humpty Dumpty, they believe that the law is whatever they say it is.
It would be well for
It would be well for Monsignor Viganò to remember what happened to Pope John-Paul I (Luciano) when he tried to clean up the corrupt and immoral financial dealings of the Vatican Bank.
The Pathology of
The Pathology of Secularists:
1. Used popularized moral norms which many change from day to day.
2. Accuse others of evils but ignore your own (vis-a-vis porn).
3. When one party speaks, it is law. When other defending party speaks, it is a lie.
4. Numbers are morality, respect is an option.
5. Any institution which stands for God is corrupt.
6. The pope is the antichrist. If you are a secularist, there is no such thing as an antichrist.
7. Deny the science supports religion and get lost in your own deep, dark cave.
8. Because someone improves the financial standing of an institution means everything, respect for the image of God means nothing.
9. There is only side to a case. The accuser is always right and the defender is always wrong.
See enough pablum yet?
One of the clearest realities
One of the clearest realities is that the Vatican and its red robed minions are winning all battles against those who would try to reform the RCC church. Whether it be a lowly monsignor or a cardinal who might disagree even slightly, his head will roll. There is nothing that the average 'cradle Catholic' can do, because he/she is brainwashed. The job is complete round about 8 years of age. Dissent in Austria or Ireland will be dealt with as swiftly as at the Vatican. Archbishop Vigano sounds like a brilliant banker, but he did blow the whistle ever so quietly. Now he is in the grip of the vicious American hierarchy. Metaphorically, he was 'kicked out of the Vatican'. What Hitler achieved over a period of 10 years in the realm of secular government, Ratzinger has achieved in six years at the level of global ecclesiastical government. Don't think for a moment that he will relent. He will be inventing new statutes, and new punishments on his death bed. He has moved much more quickly than Hitler could ever imagine.
Well, now we know why
Well, now we know why Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò didn't get the #1 job running Vatican City State when it became available, and why he was packed off to the far-off USA. It is worth reading Jason Berry's book "Render Unto Rome" for some of the seamy background (although little or nothing about Archbishop Viganò or his role in the cleanup). Not exactly a demotion, but it serves the purpose.
One hopes that the archbishop will be more diligent about vetting new or transferred bishops here in the U.S., so that we can get some better, more pastoral, and smarter candidates.
Are most bishops really "Men
Are most bishops really "Men of God," or just highly paid administrator and deft politicians? If you think they are "Men of God," I'd like to ask you another question: Does your version of Catholicism begin with, "Once upon a time.......... "?
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