VATICAN CITY , Sep 24, 2020: A powerful Vatican cardinal caught up in a real estate scandal resigned suddenly on September 24, and gave up his right to take part in an eventual conclave to elect a pope, in one of the most mysterious episodes to hit the Holy See in years.
A brief statement, issued unusually in the evening, said that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, head of the department that decides who will be the saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
But perhaps more significantly, the statement said the Becciu, 72, had “given up the rights associated with being a cardinal”.
The one-line statement gave no details but the most important right of Roman Catholic cardinals under 80, as is Becciu, is to take part in a conclave to elect a new pope after the current pope dies or resigns.
The relinquishing of that right indicated that the reason for Becciu’s resignation was particularly serious.
The last cardinal to give up that right was Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Scotland, who resigned over a sex scandal in 2013.
Becciu was until 2018 deputy secretary of state, one of the most powerful positions in the Vatican.
During his tenure in that office the Vatican became embroiled in a controversial deal in which the Secretariat of State used Church money to purchase a luxury building in London as an investment.
That investigation led to the suspension last year of five Vatican employees, the resignation of the Vatican’s police chief and the departure of the former head of the Vatican’s Financial Information Authority (AIF).
(source : Reuters)
To all my brothers and sisters who are posting comments, please be human in your comments. It is only very few are making scandals where as the vast majority are leading very good prayerful life. Will you blame the entire priestly community for the sins of two or three or ten priests. If you do so it is unfair. So also just because two or three or ten scandalous bishops we can not blame all bishops. So also with regard to sisters. Blaming will not work and what is required is a thorough reformation. Power and money should not be in the hands of one or two. There should be more democracy, collective decision making, implimentation, more laity participation etc are very essential. Church laws should be modified to meet the needs of the changing world.
I would suggest that there should be a fixed time period for the office of bishop – 5 to 6 years and after that compulsory retirement should be given. The dignity should be attached to the office rather than the person. The absolute freedom to manage the church’s wealth should be controlled by the finance committee. Greater involvement of laity and collective decision making should be given priority.
Prelates, priests in India hold position of bishop , archbishop do not hv shame even if they are exposed in media for any scandal. They accumulate money, money making institutions, drink, get involved in hidden sex and once they are caught, blame others.
chhotebhai, I was about to write the same comment and then I noticed yours. This Italian Cardinal should have consulted the Kerala church and received appropriate education in ‘how to do scams and survive in power”.
It’s better that every Episcopal post be for a definte term. This will make them more responsible and take efforts to cut a good figure within their stipulated tenure.
When will we see “voluntary” resignations of prelates in India involved in various scams and scandals?