Operation clean up to reform scandal–plagued Vatican administration

Saturday, July 20th 2013 - 05:42 UTC

Full article 27 comments

Pope Francis, moving to overcome major crises in the Holy See, set up a special commission to reform its economic and administrative departments, the Vatican said on Friday.

The commission, which is made up of seven lay experts and one cleric, will report directly to the pope and advise him on economic affairs, how to improve transparency and ensure correct application of accounting principles, the Vatican said.

Francis had already established a separate commission on how to reform the Vatican bank. Both the bank and the Vatican's internal administration were hit by major scandals under Francis's predecessor Benedict XVI.

The commission will “draft reforms of the institutions of the Holy See, with the aim of a simplification and rationalisation of the existing bodies and more careful planning of the economic activities of all the Vatican administrations,” a statement said.

It will also “offer the technical support of specialist advice and develop strategic solutions for improvement, so as to avoid the misuse of economic resources, to improve transparency in the processes of purchasing goods and services”.

The Vatican was rocked by a major scandal last year in which documents alleging corruption in its administration were leaked to the media.

Cardinals who elected Francis in a conclave in March urged him to clean up the Vatican's administration.

Categories: Politics, International.

Tags: Pope Francis, Vatican, Vatican bank.

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Fbear
The church needs to stop being a political player and simply attend to its spiritual mission. When Jesus was questioned by Pilate regarding his kingdom, he replied, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Apparently the popes think otherwise . . .ergo, they think they know better that the Son of God, how to conduct the affairs of the kingdom, but when one plays in the games of the world, as the saying goes, if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. Funny how Jesus knew the exact formula for associating with dogs and avoiding fleas. Apparently, his “vicars” haven't a clue.
Jul 20th, 2013 - 02:26 pm 0
ChrisR
@1 Fbear
You are a “believer” then?

Perhaps the real problem with all the child buggery and rapes lies in the mistaken core belief of the Vatican that abstinence encourages confidence and trust in the female members with the clergy.

Paraguay’s now disgraced President shagged his flock with abandon when he was still a Bishop, so much so that there were T-shirts printed with “I am not the son of President Lugo” on them.

The RCC is an anachronism that still plunders the poor people of the world for their ‘offerings’ while sitting on billions in the mismanaged Vatican Bank.

Astounding that it still has believers. Still, if it can “sell” religion then I suppose it can sell anything.
Jul 20th, 2013 - 03:54 pm 0
Baxter
One is always surprised by human bigotry . Possibly having been brought up , and schooled , to accept and respect all religious beliefs has now put me in a minority group . My father and tutors , by their example , forged my beliefs and I will not let them down . With regard to the Roman Cathlolic church it has , like any other huge organisation , problems . The advantage is that it recognises this and tries to correct errors .
Jul 21st, 2013 - 12:12 am 0

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