'Vatileaks' suspects says he had 20 allies
September 04, 2012
Paolo Gabriele, who had been quoted as saying that he acted alone in stealing papal correspondence, told an Italian television audience that he had at least 20 allies in the campaign of leaking documents.
In an interview broadcast by the Italian television channel LA7, Gabriele said that the leaks were motivated by a desire to end corruption inside the Vatican. “The Pope wants to clean up, but is having difficulties,” the former papal valet claimed. The individuals involved in the leaks “share their leader’s desire for purity,” he said.
The LA7 broadcast on September 3 was part of a longer interview, a portion of which had been aired before Gabriele’s arrest in May. In the earlier segment, Gabriele’s face had been camouflaged and his voice had been digitally altered as he spoke.
Gabriele said that he was helped in the “Vatileaks” campaign by others “who, like me, want to contribute to transparency.” He said that none of those who aided the campaign of leaks were high-ranking Vatican officials.
Gabriele blasted the secrecy of the Vatican and said that it sustained a culture of corruption. Pope Benedict is working to end that corruption, he said, but “there is someone who is constantly trying to put obstacles in his way in the Curia and in the various dioceses.”
Last week Gabriele’s lawyer, Carlo Fusco, announced that he was quitting the case, citing disagreements with his client over defense strategy. It was Fusco who told reporters that Gabriele acted alone in the Vatileaks case.
Italian newspapers have reported that about 20 other people are still under investigation in a Vatican magistrate's inquiry into the "Vatileaks" scandal. Vatican officials have denied the accuracy of those reports, saying that while 20 people may have been asked for information about the case, they cannot be regarded as suspects.
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Further information:
- Paolo Gabriele: “It was the Holy Spirit that guided me” (La Stampa)
- Vatileaks: '20 people involved in stealing douments', says Pope's butler (Daily Telegraph)
- Pope wants to clean Vatican, says accused Vatileaks butler (ANSA)
- 'Vatileaks’ lawyer quits case (CWN, 8/30)
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