Secretary of State clamps down on public statements by Vatican bureaus
November 10, 2011
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has announced that Vatican offices cannot issue public statements without clearance from the Secretariat of State, reports Sandro Magister of L’Espresso.
The veteran Italian journalist reports that Cardinal Bertone was dismayed by the public reaction to a recent statement from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on the world’s financial system. The statement’s call for a world financial authority drew heavy criticism from some economic analysts—and also, according to Magister, from officials within the Secretariat of State.
Although the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace announced the statement and scheduled a press conference well in advance, and copies of the document were in circulation before its official promulgation, officials at the Secretariat of State said that they were caught by surprise by its content. To prevent such problems in the future, Cardinal Bertone said that all Vatican statements should be cleared for publication through his Secretariat.
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Further information:
- Too Much Confusion. Bertone Puts the Curia Under Lock and Key (L'Espresso)
- Vatican issues call for world financial authority [News/Analysis] (CWN, 10/24)
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Posted by: -
Nov. 11, 2011 7:10 AM ET USA
Even though it was announced Bertone wasn't aware of it? Maybe our Pope needs a new Secretary of State.
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Nov. 10, 2011 10:07 PM ET USA
Yes fire the people you can't trust but this reform was long overdue. It's amazing who the media consider "the Vatican"! The Pope should restore the Holy Office as the supreme congregation and all statements should go through it assisting the Holy Father in his teaching office. The standard should be the truth not expediency or politics.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 10, 2011 7:44 PM ET USA
Why not also fire the people you can't trust?
