Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, issued a statement regarding comments made by Cardinal George Pell on an article published by the Catholic Herald.
The article in question was published on the first issue of the Catholic Herald’s magazine, in which the Australian prelate, who serves as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.
Cardinal Pell stated that the Vatican’s finances were “much healthier” than previously thought, adding that “some hundreds of millions of euros were tucked away in particular sectional accounts and did not appear on the balance sheet.”
Speculation on the accounts and why such a vast amount was not included in the balance sheet, prompted a response from the Vatican press director.
“It should be observed that Cardinal Pell has not referred to illegal, illicit or poorly administered funds, but rather funds that do not appear on the official balance sheets of the Holy See or of Vatican City State,” Fr. Lombardi stated.
Fr. Lombardi added that the managing of the accounts was “a sign and result” of cooperation between the Vatican institutions.
The Vatican Press director also noted that it is common knowledge that the balance sheets presented yearly to the College of Cardinals does not encompass all the administrations under the Vatican.
That report, he concluded, only encompassed “the main institutions of the Roman Curia and the State.”
Cardinal Pell’s article also highlights the complexity and achievements made with the current financial reforms in place.
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On the NET:
To read Cardinal Pell’s article, go to: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/december-5th-2014/the-days-of-ripping-off-the-vatican-are-over/
