Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:12:16 AM
Pell to enter rarefied air at the Vatican
Date February 25, 2014 .. bit ..
Supporters of survivors of child abuse at the hands of Catholic priests have condemned the Vatican's choice.
"It's absolutely no surprise that Cardinal Pell has been given a golden parachute by the Vatican to leave the jurisdiction just when
things are getting hot at the royal commission," said Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) spokeswoman Nicky Davis.
http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-world/pell-to-enter-rarefied-air-at-the-vatican-20140225-33djp.html
===
Cardinal Pell: hundreds of millions of euros tucked away in Vatican
.. surprised i couldn't find one on this on the board ..
AP December 05, 2014 7:52AM
Cardinal George Pell has outlined his vision for the Vatican finances in a frank essay.
Source: News Corp Australia
THE Vatican’s economy minister, Australian Cardinal George Pell, says the Holy See’s finances are in better shape than he thought, revealing that
hundreds of millions of euros were kept off the balance sheet and that reforms are forging ahead to make the Vatican “boringly successful.”
In a frank essay published in Britain’s The Catholic Herald,
---
INSERT: this must be it
The days of ripping off the Vatican are over
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/december-5th-2014/the-days-of-ripping-off-the-vatican-are-over/
---
Cardinal Pell outlined his vision for a Vatican that follows international accounting standards, is transparent and audited externally, and uses its proceeds to help the poor.
OPINION: We can but mourn for the voiceless Christians of the Middle East
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/we-can-but-mourn-for-the-voiceless-christians-of-the-middle-east/story-e6frg76f-1227143950727
Pope Francis reflects in mosque on symbolic Istanbul visit
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/pope-francis-reflects-in-mosque-on-symbolic-istanbul-visit/story-e6frg6so-1227139571859
Pope Francis was elected in 2013 on a mandate to get the Vatican’s finances in order after years of scandal at its bank and waste in its administration.
Pell was among the most vocal in calling for reform, and was named by Francis to head the new Secretariat for the Economy to oversee the process.
In the essay, Pell disparaged the Vatican’s past practices of financial secrecy, defending fiefdoms and dragging its feet in implementing international anti-moneylaundering norms.
He resurrected two of the most recent scandals — the “sacking” of the Vatican bank president and the leaks of documents by the papal butler — which he said had “severely” damaged the Holy See’s reputation.
In saying they were a “heavy cross” for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI to bear, Pell suggested that Benedict’s resignation was indeed linked to the scandals. The reforms, however, are going ahead to make the Vatican “boringly successful,” Pell said.
He said his team had discovered that the financial situation was “much healthier than it seemed, because some hundreds of millions of euros were tucked away in particular sectional accounts and did not appear on the balance sheet.”
Pell didn’t say that the euros were unknown to Vatican authorities, just that they didn’t feature into the balance sheet.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/cardinal-pell-hundreds-of-millions-of-euros-tucked-away-in-vatican/story-e6frg6so-1227145503996
===
New rules for Vatican finance offices include protection for whistleblowers
Cardinal George Pell, the head of he Secretariat for the Economy (CNS)
Separate statutes for the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat for the Economy and a 'general auditor's office' announced
New rules governing the guidance, oversight and control of Vatican financial and administrative activities include the power to levy sanctions and take “civil or criminal action” in cases of “damage to assets”, as well as providing protection for whistleblowers raising red flags about “anomalous activity”.
The provisions were detailed in separate statutes for the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat for the Economy and a “general auditor’s office,” which will be staffed by three lay experts.
The Vatican published the new statutes in Italian on its web site today; they went into effect on March 1. Pope Francis approved the statutes “ad experimentum” (on a trial basis) for an unspecified period of time.
The establishment of the council and secretariat were announced in February 2014. Officials said it took a full year to develop the statutes because they had to be reviewed by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. A key issue reportedly was to ensure adequate checks and balances.
The statutes officially define the nature, role, responsibilities and organisational structure of each of the three bodies; outline channels of command and accountability; designate English and Italian as the new offices’ working languages; and emphasise the need to keep data and documents confidential.
The statutes codify the mission of the three bodies as part of a major overhaul of the Vatican’s accounting and budgeting procedures, and make clear that both the Secretariat for the Economy and the auditors report to the Council for the Economy.
The auditing office, made up of a general auditor and two assistant auditors, will have the power to audit any Vatican office or body “in full autonomy and independence, and following the best practices recognised internationally concerning public administration.”
The auditor’s office will be the body that receives and investigates any signs of corruption, fraud and “anomalous activity” or irregularities concerning financial activities, budgeting, bookkeeping and the offering of outside contracts or services.
“The general auditor guarantees the confidentiality, integrity and security” of documents and information associated with suspected activities and “protects the identity” of those signaling any potential problems unless revealing the whistleblower’s identity becomes necessary in carrying out an investigation or trial.
Red flags raised “in good faith” concerning suspicious activities “do not produce any kind of culpability for violating professional secrets” or other similar confidentiality agreements, the new rules say.
The Council for the Economy, the statutes say, is dedicated to devising best practices, according to international standards, for more ethical, effective and transparent financial management and administration “in light of the Gospel” and Church social doctrine.
The council — which is made up of 15 members — will be charged with inspecting the budget forecasts and final budgets of all dicasteries, offices and organisations of the Holy See and Vatican City State. The council will prepare “recommendations for them and submit them to the Holy Father for approval”.
The council will also examine annual “risk assessments” concerning the Vatican’s holdings and finances.
The council will have the authority to request information from every office, including the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Vatican bank, and will examine annual reports from the general auditor.
The council members, appointed to a five-year term by the Pope, will include eight cardinals or bishops and seven lay experts, all from different nationalities to “represent the universality of the church.”
The Secretariat for the Economy, currently headed by Australian Cardinal George Pell, will act in collaboration with the Secretary of State and is in charge of “supervision and vigilance” over all administrative and financial activities at the Vatican. It is charged with implementing the norms and suggestions made by the Council for the Economy.
The secretariat will “monitor activities of the dicasteries” and other Vatican agencies, making sure they carry out their activities “efficiently” and “prudently” while funding pre-approved programs and projects. Spending must follow approved budget plans and book-keeping should conform to the new norms.
Cardinal Pell’s office will provide assistance and support to all Vatican offices and organisations so they can implement standardised norms and procedures and better manage their financial and administrative affairs. It will have the authority to conduct onsite “checks” at any of the Vatican offices.
If the secretariat discovers any “possible damage” to assets or to the Vatican “patrimony,” it can make sure corrective measures are taken or “where opportune, civil or criminal action and administrative sanctions.”
To ensure a better separation of powers, the secretariat will have to maintain two separate sections each headed by a “prelate secretary” with one dealing with the Vatican’s administrative activities and the other with financial oversights and controls. It added that during a “sede vacante,” the interim period before the election of a new Pope, the two secretaries, and not the prefect, will govern the secretariat.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/03/03/rules-for-vatican-finance-offices-include-protection-for-whistleblowers/
===
Pope's Finance Czar Moves out of Vatican Bank
VATICAN CITY — Apr 15, 2015, 12:52 AM ET
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/popes-finance-czar-moves-vatican-bank-30314017
See also:
Gerald Posner – God’s Bankers
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=112103836
Cardinal George Pell Says Sex Abuse Was Downplayed By Vatican In 1990s
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=99375557 .. also linked in reply to this one ..
Pell: I accept, with reservations, the claim that Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=100965463
Date February 25, 2014 .. bit ..
Supporters of survivors of child abuse at the hands of Catholic priests have condemned the Vatican's choice.
"It's absolutely no surprise that Cardinal Pell has been given a golden parachute by the Vatican to leave the jurisdiction just when
things are getting hot at the royal commission," said Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) spokeswoman Nicky Davis.
http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-world/pell-to-enter-rarefied-air-at-the-vatican-20140225-33djp.html
===
Cardinal Pell: hundreds of millions of euros tucked away in Vatican
.. surprised i couldn't find one on this on the board ..
AP December 05, 2014 7:52AM
Cardinal George Pell has outlined his vision for the Vatican finances in a frank essay.
Source: News Corp Australia
THE Vatican’s economy minister, Australian Cardinal George Pell, says the Holy See’s finances are in better shape than he thought, revealing that
hundreds of millions of euros were kept off the balance sheet and that reforms are forging ahead to make the Vatican “boringly successful.”
In a frank essay published in Britain’s The Catholic Herald,
---
INSERT: this must be it
The days of ripping off the Vatican are over
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/december-5th-2014/the-days-of-ripping-off-the-vatican-are-over/
---
Cardinal Pell outlined his vision for a Vatican that follows international accounting standards, is transparent and audited externally, and uses its proceeds to help the poor.
OPINION: We can but mourn for the voiceless Christians of the Middle East
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/we-can-but-mourn-for-the-voiceless-christians-of-the-middle-east/story-e6frg76f-1227143950727
Pope Francis reflects in mosque on symbolic Istanbul visit
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/pope-francis-reflects-in-mosque-on-symbolic-istanbul-visit/story-e6frg6so-1227139571859
Pope Francis was elected in 2013 on a mandate to get the Vatican’s finances in order after years of scandal at its bank and waste in its administration.
Pell was among the most vocal in calling for reform, and was named by Francis to head the new Secretariat for the Economy to oversee the process.
In the essay, Pell disparaged the Vatican’s past practices of financial secrecy, defending fiefdoms and dragging its feet in implementing international anti-moneylaundering norms.
He resurrected two of the most recent scandals — the “sacking” of the Vatican bank president and the leaks of documents by the papal butler — which he said had “severely” damaged the Holy See’s reputation.
In saying they were a “heavy cross” for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI to bear, Pell suggested that Benedict’s resignation was indeed linked to the scandals. The reforms, however, are going ahead to make the Vatican “boringly successful,” Pell said.
He said his team had discovered that the financial situation was “much healthier than it seemed, because some hundreds of millions of euros were tucked away in particular sectional accounts and did not appear on the balance sheet.”
Pell didn’t say that the euros were unknown to Vatican authorities, just that they didn’t feature into the balance sheet.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/cardinal-pell-hundreds-of-millions-of-euros-tucked-away-in-vatican/story-e6frg6so-1227145503996
===
New rules for Vatican finance offices include protection for whistleblowers
Cardinal George Pell, the head of he Secretariat for the Economy (CNS)
Separate statutes for the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat for the Economy and a 'general auditor's office' announced
New rules governing the guidance, oversight and control of Vatican financial and administrative activities include the power to levy sanctions and take “civil or criminal action” in cases of “damage to assets”, as well as providing protection for whistleblowers raising red flags about “anomalous activity”.
The provisions were detailed in separate statutes for the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat for the Economy and a “general auditor’s office,” which will be staffed by three lay experts.
The Vatican published the new statutes in Italian on its web site today; they went into effect on March 1. Pope Francis approved the statutes “ad experimentum” (on a trial basis) for an unspecified period of time.
The establishment of the council and secretariat were announced in February 2014. Officials said it took a full year to develop the statutes because they had to be reviewed by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. A key issue reportedly was to ensure adequate checks and balances.
The statutes officially define the nature, role, responsibilities and organisational structure of each of the three bodies; outline channels of command and accountability; designate English and Italian as the new offices’ working languages; and emphasise the need to keep data and documents confidential.
The statutes codify the mission of the three bodies as part of a major overhaul of the Vatican’s accounting and budgeting procedures, and make clear that both the Secretariat for the Economy and the auditors report to the Council for the Economy.
The auditing office, made up of a general auditor and two assistant auditors, will have the power to audit any Vatican office or body “in full autonomy and independence, and following the best practices recognised internationally concerning public administration.”
The auditor’s office will be the body that receives and investigates any signs of corruption, fraud and “anomalous activity” or irregularities concerning financial activities, budgeting, bookkeeping and the offering of outside contracts or services.
“The general auditor guarantees the confidentiality, integrity and security” of documents and information associated with suspected activities and “protects the identity” of those signaling any potential problems unless revealing the whistleblower’s identity becomes necessary in carrying out an investigation or trial.
Red flags raised “in good faith” concerning suspicious activities “do not produce any kind of culpability for violating professional secrets” or other similar confidentiality agreements, the new rules say.
The Council for the Economy, the statutes say, is dedicated to devising best practices, according to international standards, for more ethical, effective and transparent financial management and administration “in light of the Gospel” and Church social doctrine.
The council — which is made up of 15 members — will be charged with inspecting the budget forecasts and final budgets of all dicasteries, offices and organisations of the Holy See and Vatican City State. The council will prepare “recommendations for them and submit them to the Holy Father for approval”.
The council will also examine annual “risk assessments” concerning the Vatican’s holdings and finances.
The council will have the authority to request information from every office, including the Financial Intelligence Authority and the Vatican bank, and will examine annual reports from the general auditor.
The council members, appointed to a five-year term by the Pope, will include eight cardinals or bishops and seven lay experts, all from different nationalities to “represent the universality of the church.”
The Secretariat for the Economy, currently headed by Australian Cardinal George Pell, will act in collaboration with the Secretary of State and is in charge of “supervision and vigilance” over all administrative and financial activities at the Vatican. It is charged with implementing the norms and suggestions made by the Council for the Economy.
The secretariat will “monitor activities of the dicasteries” and other Vatican agencies, making sure they carry out their activities “efficiently” and “prudently” while funding pre-approved programs and projects. Spending must follow approved budget plans and book-keeping should conform to the new norms.
Cardinal Pell’s office will provide assistance and support to all Vatican offices and organisations so they can implement standardised norms and procedures and better manage their financial and administrative affairs. It will have the authority to conduct onsite “checks” at any of the Vatican offices.
If the secretariat discovers any “possible damage” to assets or to the Vatican “patrimony,” it can make sure corrective measures are taken or “where opportune, civil or criminal action and administrative sanctions.”
To ensure a better separation of powers, the secretariat will have to maintain two separate sections each headed by a “prelate secretary” with one dealing with the Vatican’s administrative activities and the other with financial oversights and controls. It added that during a “sede vacante,” the interim period before the election of a new Pope, the two secretaries, and not the prefect, will govern the secretariat.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/03/03/rules-for-vatican-finance-offices-include-protection-for-whistleblowers/
===
Pope's Finance Czar Moves out of Vatican Bank
VATICAN CITY — Apr 15, 2015, 12:52 AM ET
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/popes-finance-czar-moves-vatican-bank-30314017
See also:
Gerald Posner – God’s Bankers
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=112103836
Cardinal George Pell Says Sex Abuse Was Downplayed By Vatican In 1990s
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=99375557 .. also linked in reply to this one ..
Pell: I accept, with reservations, the claim that Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=100965463
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
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