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As head of the Vatican’s “secular” administration, Angelo Becciu ran shady deals in stocks and real estate. According to new revelations, he also favored his brothers.
Angelo Becciu in 2017, still at the peak of his power and before his cardinal appointment.
With a one-sentence statement, the Vatican announced Thursday night that Cardinal Angelo Becciu had resigned his duties and rights. Pope Francis accepted the resignation. No details were given. Becciu had been Prefect of the Congregation for Canonization for two years, the Pope appointed him Cardinal in May 2018. The trigger for the sudden resignation was probably the imminent revelation of the Italian magazine “L’Espresso” about the role of Beccius in a London property scandal.
According to a report by the Italian news agency Ansa, Pope Francis had informed the 72-year-old cardinal that he was being expelled from his office and dignity in a “shock hearing,” which was immediately followed by the public announcement of the extraordinary measure. . Apparently Becciu had lost favor with the Pope.
Becciu commented on his case in the media. Out of a sense of duty and love for the Church and the Pope, she had accepted her request to resign, she told the Roman daily “Il Messagero.” “But I am innocent and I will prove it. I ask the Holy Father for the right to defend me. “
“Angel’s” delivers beer
There are two accusations against Becciu. Under his leadership, the Secretary of State, the Vatican government responsible for secular affairs, systematically squandered funds from the so-called Saint Peter’s penny, to which he had full access, and from the Italian Episcopal Conference, among other things, for speculative purposes. With Peterspfennig, Catholic parishes around the world support a Vatican fund for charitable purposes. The Episcopal Conference, in turn, receives funds from the “8 per thousand” that the state collects from taxpayers for the benefit of ecclesiastical organizations; they can determine whether the state or a certain church should receive the charitable bond they provide.
We are talking about financial transactions in offshore accounts, as well as trading in stocks and real estate. Furthermore, according to the information, Becciu passed orders and funds from the same sources to his brothers. Carpenter businessman Francesco Becciu built churches in Angola and Cuba, according to the information. Psychology professor Mario Becciu and his company “Angel’s” provided catering services at church institutions, including draft beer. Tonino Becciu runs the Caritas “Spes” (Hope) cooperative in Ozieri, which has received several generous donations, totaling € 700,000. Here is a suspicion of favoritism or enrichment. The Vatican is said to have suffered damages totaling 454 million euros.
Bad speculation in a noble direction
The suspicion of financial wrongdoing against Becciu had existed for a long time. He became virulent in connection with a property trade. The Vatican lost more than 100 million euros on the acquisition and sale of a luxury London residence on Sloane Avenue in Chelsea. So much was done so badly in that deal that the question arose as to whether the bankruptcy was not intentionally caused by corruption (bribery). Becciu was considered the main person in charge of the real estate trade. As a result, he lost his powerful position as deputy for general affairs at the Secretary of State. Five other people involved were suspended. Now the downfall of Beccius was inevitable.
