Associated Press Oct 1, 2019
A view of the interior of the Vatican Bank, formally known as the Institute for the Works of Religion. (Credit: IOR handout.)
VATICAN CITY – Vatican police seized documents and electronics during searches Tuesday of the Holy See’s secretariat of state and financial watchdog agency after receiving official complaints about “past financial operations,” officials said.
The Vatican press office didn’t provide details about the search and seizures or the nature of the complaints that sparked them.
In a brief statement, the press office said the complaints “concerning past financial operations” arrived over the summer from the Vatican bank and auditor general’s office. It said the chief prosecutor at the Vatican’s criminal tribunal authorized the seizures.
They were believed to be the first at the secretariat of state, which coordinates the activities of the Holy See, functions as the seat of governance of the universal Catholic Church and oversees diplomatic relations with more than 180 nations.
For nearly a decade the Vatican has been trying to clean up its financial act by adhering to international anti-money laundering norms and reforming its bank, the Institute of Religious Works, after decades of accusations that it worked as an off-shore tax haven.
Key to the effort has been the creation of the Financial Information Authority, or AIF, which works as an internal financial watchdog and liaises with financial intelligence units of other countries to share information about suspect transactions. In addition to the secretariat of state, the AIF offices were searched Tuesday, the Vatican said.
Last year, the former IOR president went on trial at the Vatican’s criminal tribunal on charges he and his lawyer embezzled 57 million euros ($68 million) in Vatican real estate sales; the trial is ongoing.
At the same time, though, Vatican prosecutors have been criticized by Council of Europe evaluators for their slow pace in investigating and prosecuting suspect financial transactions that are referred to them.
In the spring, the Vatican is scheduled to undergo a regularly scheduled on-site evaluation by the Council of Europe’s Moneyval evaluators to check its progress.
PAT SAYS
The Vatican has been a rogue state for most of its existence.
It’s always been about power, money and all kinds of sex, especially homosexuality and paedophilia.
And when you are into all kinds of corruption and orgy behaviour money is what oils everything.
And the Vatican will never run out of money.
It’s been building up its financial reserves for a thousand and more years.
The international financial community has a massive responsibility to police Vatican finances.
64 replies on “VATICAN’S SECRETARY OF STATE SEARCHED IN FINANCIAL PROBE.”
When I think of the Vatican I think of faded Renaissance rooms with a touch of make do and mend not a space ship it’s obvious from the photography where money is spent
LikeLike
On all the fat old evil queens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Queens must live in style and it doesnt come chesp, you know.
LikeLike
Why does the Virgin Mary not mention any of this stuff nor anything about paedophilia in any of her apparitions?
Makes you wonder.
LikeLike
10.52 That made me laugh out loud!!!
LikeLike
Wanderin’ Willie she mustn’t read my paper.
LikeLike
I read your paper just before I wipe.
LikeLike
Old news Pat, Roberto Calvi (Banco Ambrosiano), Michele Sindona (Franklin National Bank) and Archbishop Paul Marcinkus. If any of your readers are interested they should google that up. The only one who died peacefully in his bed was Marcinkus (of course).
LikeLike
8.08
Old news? So is murder.
Your point?
LikeLike
Good point Magna.
Glad your back. You bring intelligence and knowledge to the blog.
LikeLike
11:40 What would you know about either intelligence or knowledge? You can’t spell.
LikeLike
It’s been out there for a long time Magna do your research.
LikeLike
Add John Paul 1 to that list
LikeLike
Is he on the For Canonistion list?
LikeLike
Poster@ 12.11
I know as much about them as you do about good manners.
LikeLike
2.33
I could have given him a more dignified send-off than the one he got. It lacked style.
LikeLike
Pick a card Grace Money or greasy 💰 hi. Sure the poor auld Vatican can’t do any wrong hi
LikeLike
Italy, in general, is pretty corrupt, Bp Pat. An Italian friend recently told me most people in the south of Italy claiming unemployment benefits are in fact employed.
LikeLike
Any names and addresses?
LikeLike
And you think Italys alone in that?
LikeLike
That doesn’t matter. Italy is hardly an example for the Vatican to follow.
LikeLike
12.07
Nor is Jesus.
LikeLike
A bit like West Belfast.
LikeLike
Could you give me the full SP on that 5.13?
LikeLike
They don’t pay to use the Glider in West Belfast. Or for tv licences, though very quick to put in for DLA and PiP.
LikeLike
Great stuff altogether, 6.23.
Can you give me your name. Not for publication purposes, you understand. But for authentication.
You can trust me to keep your identity anonymous…unless the RA turns its thumbscrews on me.
LikeLike
P O’Neill,
Connolly House,
147 Andersonstown Rd, Belfast BT11 9BW
LikeLike
Is that the time?
Haven’t the time.
Must dash.
LikeLike
Revoltin
LikeLike
Jesus would be at home in Rome.
LikeLike
Anyone who criticises the Vatican is criticising God. Judgement awaits him.
LikeLike
Exactly.
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/he-who-hears-you-hears-me-12376
LikeLike
This report is unprecedented for the Vatican, not for what it contains, but for the fact that it was released at all.
Who is the current Cardinal Secretary of State?
LikeLike
Well maybe they are catching on? Covering up only makes the scandal twice as bad when it is uncovered. Can the culture of the Church be changing? Is transparency beginning to emerge? Can we expect to see humble honest clergy who confess their transgressions and receive mercy? Or will we continue to see tin pot hitlers Throwing their weight around and muzzling safeguarding? Hopefully this transparency will filter down to places line Clifton and Wonersh!
LikeLike
Oh my days! The former mayor of Newtownabbey has resigned from the DUP after being charged with child sex offences. What on earth is the world coming to?
LikeLike
Could someone locate Monsignor Millicent Phrillynickers immediately and ask him to call His Eminence the Cardinal? His Eminence and Her Eminence need a lift up to Wonersh this afternoon to try out the new communal shower facilities. Oh and ask Rt Rev Mgr Phrillynickers to acquire a bottle of that almond and honeysuckle Oil of U-lay body scrub they both like.
LikeLike
His Eminence is sooo dishy. 😍
I’d be his body scrub. ♥️💋
LikeLike
Pat I have been commenting on this blog for a number of years. Content is very good. What is disappointing is there seems to be a number of ppl who hijack the comments section. Is there a way that these could be filtered out when they have nothing to do with the topic. Examples of crap : magna spat among others. I’m curious if theee ppl are plants to get ppl like your good self pat to stop investigating
LikeLike
You’re post has nothing to do with today’s topic, so filter yourself out. 😀
LikeLike
Nice one, 4.03.
Its time we killed off the conspiracy theorists on this blog. I’ll bury them, naturally.
Mates rates.
LikeLike
Pat it will be interesting to see if the yearly rectors conference takes place in Wonersh?
Any update on Clifton diocese and mr Lawes? Mr blakhill? Among others
LikeLike
Has Marsden been in Wonersh?
LikeLike
The last I read he had been… well, let’s just say, “let go” from St Mary’s College, Oscott, after being asked to step down from the formation team for a number of reasons, some of which were subject to legal review at the time.
LikeLike
Apparently, he said that “the normal, heterosexual students in Oscott” called for all gay and bisexual students and members of staff at the college to be dismissed. Needless-to-say, they couldn’t find any “normal, heterosexual students in Oscott” to verify the demand.
LikeLike
Marsden played for Oscott against Wonersh in the inter footy game. Perhaps the after game showers came as a an exciting finale?
The spin about safeguarding protecting children and vulnerable adults (inc seminarians) put around at the inquiry by Vinnie was blown out of the water in Clifton. Lawrence Doyle and Paul Bright were offered no protection by safeguarding. The story will come into the public domain and those involved will have their actions exposed. No longer will VGs be allowed to browbeat the safeguarding team, and to say it was done in obedience to some authority (ordinary, rector, whatever) will not be accepted as an excuse. Repent and seek mercy or live with the consequences!!
LikeLike
I think old scores are being settled in what may be an internicene feud at the Vatican.
Vatican police are not independent, as are police forces in democratic countries.
This is going to get really dirty.
Pull up a seat, hand round the popcorn, and watch the Vatican implode.😅
LikeLike
Internecine – don’t import words from Wiki if you don’t know what the mean.
LikeLike
‘…what THEY mean’. 😅
LikeLike
Clergy in Westminster are saying that Elsie is unwell and they are expecting him to retire soon on health grounds. The chat within the diocese is that Archbishop Gallagher from the Vatican is returning to the UK to be coadjutor to Elsie. Interesting that he was tipped for Westminster before but Elsie beat him to it. Not sure if Westminster is ready for another Liverpudlian.
LikeLike
Clergy in Westminster will tell anything but the truth.
No integrity.
LikeLike
What a load of rubbish.
LikeLike
She had a bad turn in the Cathedral not so long ago, the place was hummin for days.
LikeLike
Pat, have you seen the rather poignant video from Maynooth, recorded yesterday? The college chapel is unused and locked up until the carol services, so St Mary’s Oratory was used for a Mass celebrated by the bishops, who outnumbered the sems. It starts around the 2:15 mark.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=645789145949462&id=186044185648
LikeLike
Amy was prancing in all her glory… again!
LikeLike
Recognised that prance right away.
LikeLike
Any more vids of the Wonersh lads, or even Oscott at a push?
LikeLike
Good idea!
A colour pic or two of a nice, pert, bubble butt always warms the cockles of my heart (and other places).
LikeLike
Mickey Mouse Muggins, maybe?
LikeLike
They are havens for homosexuals, apparently.
LikeLike
6.42: Are you serious MMM? Are you fulfilling your latent homosexual desires or true identity? I am shocked….what a crazy world! Does your local pub not have enough rough, rugged mountain men to adore and fantasize about? Just wondering.
LikeLike
Think vin Nichols week is about to explode with serious allegations being push about. It seems the Lourdes scandal with priests and seminarians has raised its head again. Rector met with cardinal. Have you heard anything Pat
LikeLike
Tell us more.
LikeLike
@9:18pm Horsesh*t! Absolute Horsesh*t!
LikeLike
I assume it’s Mickey Mouse Muggins @6:42 you’re asking Anon @ 9:17? Whoever he/she or it is may be a lot more interested than me, so I hope you receive a response.
MMM
LikeLike