Faith

At embezzlement trial, lawyers 'surprised' by Vatican prosecution's request

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:19:39 -0400

VATICAN CITY -- A request by Vatican prosecutors to withdraw testimony in a megatrial regarding financial malfeasance prompted defense lawyers to call for the case to be thrown out.

Analyst linked to Cardinal Becciu is arrested

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 14:31:28 -0400

VATICAN CITY - A political analyst allegedly hired as a security consultant by Cardinal Angelo Becciu was arrested by Italian authorities in Milan, Italian media reported.

Pennsylvania authorities arrest priest accused of stealing more than $98,000

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 07:00:00 -0400

WASHINGTON -- Authorities have arrested a 56-year-old priest from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who is facing accusations that he stole more than $98,000 from a parish and used some of it to finance what the archdiocese says were "personal expenses of an inappropriate nature."

Embezzlement trial of former Vatican bank official begins

cns@catholicnews.com (Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service) — Thu, 10 May 2018 10:32:24 -0400

VATICAN – The Vatican has accused a former director of the Vatican bank and his lawyer of money laundering and embezzlement, saying the men skimmed an estimated 57 million euros (about $68 million) off profits from the sale of Vatican properties.

Vatican court charges former IOR president with embezzlement

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 07:30:51 -0500

VATICAN – A former president of the Institute of Religious Works, the so-called “Vatican Bank,” and his lawyer, have been ordered to stand trial at the Vatican on charges of embezzlement and money laundering.

Vatican asks Indonesian bishop to repay funds he allegedly stole

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 14:51:17 -0400

RUTENG, Indonesia – The Vatican has asked Indonesian Bishop Hubertus Leteng, who recently resigned over allegations of theft and having an affair, to return the church funds he is accused of stealing.

Indonesian bishop resigns amid embezzlement, affair accusations

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 09:11:56 -0400

Ruteng, Indonesia – An Indonesian prelate resigned Wednesday as Bishop of Ruteng amid mounting concerns surrounding an alleged mistress and reportedly stolen funds.

Bishop Hubertus Leteng, 58, was accused of borrowing $94,000 from the Indonesian bishops’ conference, as well as $30,000 from the Diocese of Ruteng.

Leteng said the money was being used to fund a poor youth��Ƶapp education, although he failed to give any further details or information, according to Ucanews. He was additionally criticized for reportedly taking a mistress – an allegation which Leteng called “slanderous.”

In June, more than 60 priests of the diocese resigned from their assignments in protest of Leteng��Ƶapp administration of the diocese.

A year earlier, 112 of the diocese's 167 priests had signed a letter of no confidence in Leteng, citing their suspicions of financial mismanagement and incontinence.

The Vatican has been investigating the accusations brought against Leteng since April, and Pope Francis accepted Leteng��Ƶapp resignation Oct. 11.

Following Leteng��Ƶapp departure, Bishop Sylvester San of Denpasar will serve as apostolic administrator of Ruteng until a bishop is named.

Leteng was ordained a priest of the Ruteng diocese in 1988, and was appointed its bishop in 2009. He was consecrated a bishop April 14, 2010.

Though Indonesia is a heavily majority-Muslim country, the island of Flores, on which Ruteng is located, is largely Catholic. Flores was colonized by Portugal, and nearly 89 percent of the population of the Ruteng diocese is Catholic.

Indonesian bishop resigns amid embezzlement, affair accusations

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 09:11:56 -0400

Ruteng, Indonesia – An Indonesian prelate resigned Wednesday as Bishop of Ruteng amid mounting concerns surrounding an alleged mistress and reportedly stolen funds.

Trial begins for ex-Vatican officials accused of stealing hospital funds

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:28:00 -0400

VATICAN CITY – Two former top Vatican hospital officials appeared before a Vatican court for a pretrial hearing on allegations of embezzlement.

Dozens of Indonesian priests resign after accusing bishop of embezzlement

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:41:00 -0400

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Dozens of Indonesian priests have quit their posts after accusing a bishop on the Catholic majority island of Flores of embezzling more than $100,000 of church funds for personal use.