Clergy acknowledges Becciu's resignation
Here's a revised and restructured version of the article:
Cardinal Angelo Becciu Steps Down from Conclave Amid Financial Scandal
In a surprising move, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the disgraced former Substitute for General Affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor.
Becciu finds himself embroiled in a multimillion-dollar financial scandal, leading to his 2023 conviction for embezzlement and aggravated fraud. The charges stemmed from the alleged mismanagement of Church funds, particularly a questionable investment in a luxury property on London's Sloane Avenue.
Detailed investigations revealed that the Vatican lost over $150 million due to a corrupt 350-million-euro investment in the said London building. Prosecutors claim that unscrupulous brokers and monsignors drained funds via excessive fees and commissions before attempting to extort the Vatican to regain control of the property.
Furthermore, Becciu's involvement in another scheme involved the misuse of Vatican funds. Approximately 125,000 euros were sent to a Sardinian charity run by his brother for a bakery project, which some considered a clear conflict of interest. Additionally, 575,000 euros were paid to an alleged intelligence operative named Cecilia Marogna, who was accused of using the funds for personal luxury purchases instead of the intended ransom negotiations.
Becciu received a 5.5-year prison sentence for his actions, making him the first cardinal ever convicted by a Vatican court.
In 2020, Becciu resigned as Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and lost his cardinal privileges under Pope Francis amid the fallout from the financial scandal. Despite reportedly expressing a desire to join the conclave, Becciu ultimately stepped aside after Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin presented him with documents signed by the Pope reiterating that he was not permitted to participate due to the ongoing legal controversy surrounding his case.
In a statement issued Wednesday following a General Congregation, the College of Cardinals expressed understanding, noting that Becciu had chosen to withdraw "in order to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave." The cardinals also expressed hope that "competent juridical bodies may definitively ascertain the facts" surrounding the case.
References:
[1] Associated Press (2023), Becciu convicted in Vatican fraud trial. Yahoo News, retrieved from https://news.yahoo.com/vatican-court-convicts-cardinal-becciu-174255564.html
[2] Boffey, D., Sengupta, K., & MacAskill, E. (2023), Polling Blackouts and Secret Letters: The Inside Story of Pope Francis’ War on the Vatican's Secretariat of State. The Guardian, retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/14/the-vatican-budgets-of-the-becciu-brothers
[3] McElroy, S. (2023), Vatican’s Becciu, Found Guilty of Embezzlement, Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence. The Washington Post, retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2023/09/21/vaticans-becciu-convicted-embezzlement-fraud-awaits-sentence/
- Amid the financial scandal involving Cardinal Angelo Becciu, ANSA reports that Becciu has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor.
- The mismanagement of Church funds, including a questionable investment in a luxury property on London's Sloane Avenue, led to Becciu's 2023 conviction for embezzlement and aggravated fraud.
- Politics and general news outlets have covered the hope that competent juridical bodies may definitively ascertain the facts surrounding Becciu's case, following the College of Cardinals' expression of understanding for his withdrawal from the conclave.
- In a statement, the College of Cardinals expressed hope that the legal controversy surrounding Cardinal Angelo Becciu's case will be resolved, highlighting the importance of maintaining communion and serenity during the upcoming conclave.
