Vatican spokesman: indictment not the ‘last word’ in ‘Vatileaks’ scandal

August 14, 2012

The indictment of Paolo Gabriele, the Pope’s valet, and Claudio Sciarpelleti, a computer analyst employed by the Vatican Secretariat of State, is not the “last word” in the “Vatileaks” investigation, the director of the Holy See Press Office said.

“The bringing of formal charges in connection with the publication of confidential Vatican documents is not the last word in what are ongoing investigations, nor do they represent a final statement on what this story means and how it developed,” said Father Federico Lombardi.

“The formal charges refer to a specific offense and to two persons (one directly responsible and only very indirectly involved),” he added, noting that judges and a committee of cardinals have been called upon to investigate the case with “specific competence and diverse perspectives.”

Father Lombardi also said that the investigation is helping build a culture of transparency in the Vatican.

“A complete and comprehensive publication, such as that published [Monday] morning, which reserves only the names and surnames of persons to be protected, is a courageous, and rather unusual act, given the Vatican’s usual practices,” he stated.

“Perhaps the comparison is bold, but it occurs to me that, similarly to the way in which cooperation with the independent assessors at Moneyval is helping the Vatican to grow in the direction of economic and financial transparency, so might recognition of the role of the judiciary help today to grow in the direction of transparency and consistency in communication--and in the discussion of other issues not strictly ecclesiastical.”

 

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Further information:

• Fr. Lombardi SJ: VatiLeaks charges a step toward transparency (Vatican Radio)
• Pope's valet, 2nd man indicted in 'Vatileaks' case (CWN, 8/13)