Former top candidate for pope and veteran Vatican diplomat Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 76, is not taking part in the conclave to choose a new pope to replace Francis, who passed away on april 21 at the age of 88.
Becciu had claimed his right to attend the conclave on May 7 but withdrew after allegedly being shown two letters from Francis prior to his passing stating that he should not take part because of accusations of corruption.
The cardinal's statement, which was released by his attorney, Fa "Having at heart the good of the church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to obey as I have always done the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence."
On september 24, 2020, Francis compelled Becciu to renounce his cardinalate rights and step down as head of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Vatican's saint-making office, due to multiple accusations of financial mismanagement. He is presently battling a judicial battle against the Vatican's criminal court's 2023 conviction. The cardinal has denied all allegations and claimed that his trial was manipulated from the start.
Who is Cardinal Angelo Becciu?
Before accepting one of the most influential positions as "substitute" in the Vatican secretariat of State, Becciu, a Sardinian native, served in Vatican embassies across the globe. Before the accusations, Becciu was appointed a cardinal by Francis himself in 2018.
Becciu, a well-known conservative from the old guard, gained notoriety under Pope Benedict XVI because of their shared ideologies. He also became a close advisor to Francis, who supported changes and worked for social objectives.
Case linked to the Vatican's london investment
Prosecutors in the Vatican filed a 487-page chargesheet against Becciu and nine other people, alleging serious offenses including fraud, extortion, and money laundering.
The Holy See allegedly invested 350 million euros in a posh london apartment, and the accused defrauded it of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions. Becciu was charged with approving the investment without conducting adequate control while he was the secretariat of State's Substitute for General Affairs.
Becciu was also charged by the prosecution with transferring 125,000 euros in Vatican funds to a Sardinian diocese organization that his brother was involved with. He maintained that the funds stayed in diocesan coffers since they were intended for a local bishop who asked for them so that a bakery might hire young people who were at risk.
Additionally, Becciu is accused of paying Cecilia Marogna, a Sardinian woman, for her company's espionage services. Prosecutors said they were able to track down transactions and purchases of expensive goods totaling about 575,000 euros that the Vatican had made.
To arrange the release of a Colombian nun who had been kidnapped by Islamic terrorists in mali in 2017, the cardinal stated that he believed the funds were to be given to a british security company.
Manipulated Trial?
The primary accusation against the "trial of the century" is that the prosecution's key witness against Becciu and others was the victim of outside coaching and manipulation.
Additionally, defense attorneys claimed that the pope's intervention during the trial—as an absolute monarch—violated their client's right to a fair trial. During the trial, it was revealed that the Pope had secretly issued decrees permitting prosecutors to intercept and hold individuals without a judge's warrant, which were claimed as interference.
Becciu had claimed his right to attend the conclave on May 7 but withdrew after allegedly being shown two letters from Francis prior to his passing stating that he should not take part because of accusations of corruption.
The cardinal's statement, which was released by his attorney, Fa "Having at heart the good of the church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to obey as I have always done the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence."
On september 24, 2020, Francis compelled Becciu to renounce his cardinalate rights and step down as head of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Vatican's saint-making office, due to multiple accusations of financial mismanagement. He is presently battling a judicial battle against the Vatican's criminal court's 2023 conviction. The cardinal has denied all allegations and claimed that his trial was manipulated from the start.
Who is Cardinal Angelo Becciu?
Before accepting one of the most influential positions as "substitute" in the Vatican secretariat of State, Becciu, a Sardinian native, served in Vatican embassies across the globe. Before the accusations, Becciu was appointed a cardinal by Francis himself in 2018.
Becciu, a well-known conservative from the old guard, gained notoriety under Pope Benedict XVI because of their shared ideologies. He also became a close advisor to Francis, who supported changes and worked for social objectives.
Case linked to the Vatican's london investment
Prosecutors in the Vatican filed a 487-page chargesheet against Becciu and nine other people, alleging serious offenses including fraud, extortion, and money laundering.
The Holy See allegedly invested 350 million euros in a posh london apartment, and the accused defrauded it of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions. Becciu was charged with approving the investment without conducting adequate control while he was the secretariat of State's Substitute for General Affairs.
Becciu was also charged by the prosecution with transferring 125,000 euros in Vatican funds to a Sardinian diocese organization that his brother was involved with. He maintained that the funds stayed in diocesan coffers since they were intended for a local bishop who asked for them so that a bakery might hire young people who were at risk.
Additionally, Becciu is accused of paying Cecilia Marogna, a Sardinian woman, for her company's espionage services. Prosecutors said they were able to track down transactions and purchases of expensive goods totaling about 575,000 euros that the Vatican had made.
To arrange the release of a Colombian nun who had been kidnapped by Islamic terrorists in mali in 2017, the cardinal stated that he believed the funds were to be given to a british security company.
Manipulated Trial?
The primary accusation against the "trial of the century" is that the prosecution's key witness against Becciu and others was the victim of outside coaching and manipulation.
Additionally, defense attorneys claimed that the pope's intervention during the trial—as an absolute monarch—violated their client's right to a fair trial. During the trial, it was revealed that the Pope had secretly issued decrees permitting prosecutors to intercept and hold individuals without a judge's warrant, which were claimed as interference.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel