Vatican watchdog reports ongoing progress in oversight
The Vatican’s financial watchdog agency has reported continued progress in oversight, reporting and cooperation in its efforts to prevent suspected money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
In its annual report for 2017, the Financial Intelligence Authority (AIF) confirmed a “robust reporting system and an effective application of the regulatory framework of the Holy See and the Vatican City State”.
In its report the agency, which oversees transactions made through the Vatican bank, said they take a pro-active approach to cooperate with foreign counterparts to fight illicit financial activities.
However, very few cases have led to indictments and prosecutions by the office of the promoter of justice at the Vatican City State’s tribunal.
There was one “successful prosecution of serious criminal offences” in 2017, regarding the trial of Giuseppe Profiti, the former president of the Vatican-owned paediatric hospital.
Profiti was found guilty of abuse of office for using donations belonging to the hospital’s foundation to refurbish a Vatican-owned apartment used by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, former Vatican secretary of state. Profiti was sentenced to one year in jail and fined €5,000. The sentence was suspended.
Heaven is not boring says Pope
Heaven isn’t an eternally dull existence but rather the completion of a journey toward a promised encounter with the Lord, Pope Francis has said.
Although Christians may know full well that their goal is to go to Heaven, “we begin to slip” when asked, “What is heaven?” the Pope said in his homily during Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae.
“Many times, we think of an abstract heaven, a faraway heaven, a heaven that we say ‘yes, its fine’. But some may think: ‘Isn’t it a little boring being there for all eternity?’ No, that is not Heaven,” he said.
Pope Francis’ homily focused on the day’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, in which St Paul proclaims “that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfilment” through Jesus’ resurrection.
Trusting God to fulfil his promises, he said, puts Christians on a path “toward an encounter, the definitive encounter with Jesus.
“Heaven is the encounter with Jesus.”
Create communities ‘where Faith can thrive’
A truly fraternal community, one that welcomes all and settles differences lovingly and patiently, is itself a witness to the Gospel, Pope Francis told members of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel.
A true Christian community “attracts and evangelises each day; it is contagious,” the Pope told the brothers. “Those who see how we live are sensitive to our way of being, of accepting different points of view, of facing tensions and resolving them with delicacy, charity and humility.”
The Brothers of St Gabriel is a religious order primarily dedicated to teaching; it has about 1,200 members and novices.
In many societies, the Pope said, there is a “spiritual crisis that generates anxiety and sadness” because so many people have lost sight of the meaning and purpose of life.
Catholics, especially Catholic religious orders, need to “form welcoming communities in which it is beautiful to live, showing especially the young the joy of following Christ and responding to his call”, the Pope said.