Vatican ‘ready to cooperate’ in investigation of accountant

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 4:35 pm by CNA Daily News

Vatican ‘ready to cooperate’ in investigation of accountant 2013-06-28T16:35:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jun 28, 2013 / 10:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican said it is ready to collaborate in the investigation of one of its accountants who was arrested today over allegations of corruption and slander.

“The Holy See has not yet received any request from the competent Italian authorities on the matter, but it confirms its willingness to cooperate fully,” said Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Holy See’s press office.

Monsignor Nuncio Scarano was arrested June 28 for allegedly trying to move 20 million Euros – $26 million US Dollars – from Switzerland illegally into Italy, involving the Vatican's so-called bank, the IOR or Institute for Religious Works.

The arrest happened just days after Pope Francis created a commission of inquiry into the IOR's activities and legal status on June 26.

Msgr. Scarano was arrested along with Giovanni Maria Zito, an Italian secret service agent, and Giovanni Carenzio, a financial broker.

“The competent authorities of the Vatican, the AIF (Financial Information Authority), are overseeing the problem to take, if necessary, appropriate measures within its competence,” said Fr. Lombardi in a statement released June 28.

The 60-year-old cleric worked as a senior accountant for a Vatican department, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, and had an account at the IOR.

But Msgr. Scarano, now held in a prison in Rome, was suspended from his job a month ago after transactions of a series of checks described as church donations were cycled through the Vatican bank.

Fr. Lombardi said this happened “as soon as the superiors were informed that he was under investigation.”

He explained this was “in accordance with the regulations of the Roman Curia, which requires the precautionary suspension for people for whom prosecution has been initiated.”

The Vatican created the Financial Information Authority in 2010 and it became operational in April 2011 to make the IOR more transparent.

During pre-conclave meetings discussions included a desire to abolish or reform the IOR.

Pope Francis personally issued a chirograph on June 24, an official document of Medieval origins, in which he appointed a board of five members to report to him about “the legal position and the activities of the Institute” in order to “harmonize the Institute with the universal mission of the Apostolic See.”

Vatican

Previous Post

June 28, 2013

New Vatican Secretary of State may be appointed soon

Next Post

June 28, 2013 Church in Dominican Republic warns of ambassador's gay advocacy efforts

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Faith without works is dead"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James Paul John Peter