Part of me is rooting for the Vatican to go bankrupt. With their refusal to address abuse, most recently exemplified in the Principi affair, it seems like they/we deserve it. Especially when their answer to the financial crisis is to put McCarrick's old roommate on the case. Maybe the answer is just to burn the whole thing down and start over?
I cannot emphasize and underscore enough--speaking as a Catholic, as a historian, as someone who has been involved with the Vatican--how utterly, monstrously, inexcusably wrongheaded, dangerous, and harmful this (distressingly prevalent) attitude is, and in particular how utterly opposed to the interests of abuse victims and justice in the abuse crisis it is.
The ONLY way for the Catholic Church as an institution to deal with abuse equitably on a global scale is to have centralized governance and judicial processes and safeguarding mechanisms. For that you need the Curia; and not just the Curia, but (and again, I cannot emphasize this enough) a WELL-FUNDED CURIA.
A poorly funded Curia will be one (as we are, alas, increasingly seeing) where the DDF is overwhelmed with cases, where processes for dealing with abuse slow down, where integral safeguarding mechanisms are neglected, where oversight of the local Churches becomes impossible, where poorer Churches are unable to afford critical safeguarding infrastructure.
A bankrupt Curia would put all safeguarding efforts back decades; to the situation we had during the crisis where local bishops and bishops' conferences are able to do as they please with little oversight, and where cases last forever without resolution. It would be an absolute disaster for the Church, for abuse victims, and for justice.
This is not a new lesson; it is one that Church history has taught again and again. Meaningful Church reform (and I cannot emphasize this enough) REQUIRES WELL-FUNCTIONING, WELL-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS. This was true in the 4th century; it was true in the 16th century; it is true now. The collapse of institutions in some utterly perverse desire for justice will serve exactly the opposite end.
Frankly, now is the time for good Catholics to INCREASE their donations to the Curia, and in particular for the DDF and the Pontifical Commission for Minors (and their associated foundation). They are doing extraordinarily valuable work with insufficient funding and there is much, much more that could and should be done in the near future.
It would cost precisely zero dollars for the Pope Francis to fire Pena Parra, laicize Rupnik, etc... yet he hasn't done it. Giving him more money won't change that. And as far as needing a centralized Curia to take care of abuse cases all over the world, absolute nonsense. We need subsidiarity, not consolidation. One centralized institution can't handle an entire world's worth of cases no matter how well funded. The work load has to be spread out. In fact, I think the Vatican has hindered reform efforts more than helped and we would be in better shape if the USCCB and local dioceses didn't have to rely on them as much. I don't see how a sane person could look at the Vatican response to abuse and think we need more of that, that's where I should send my money.
Is the Francis legacy intellectual, theological and financial ruin? When a formerly successful business hits the wall after dumping its old "product line" and strategy for a new one, usually you have to either go back to the old products and strategy or change the current approach. Not double down on the failed current approach. Especially when you can see competitors (all the liberal Protestant denominations) with the same strategy further down the road to collapse.
I do believe that if anyone can whip this thing into shape, it will be Farrell. He did a solid job in Dallas, turning a diocese that didn't even have a standardized chart of accounts into a fiscally "tight ship."
Without commenting on Cardinal Farrell’s financial abilities, about which I have no knowledge, it sounds like two things need to happen. Hire a development director and a competent financial professional, like a CPA or financial advisor or CFO! And be transparent. As a CPA who has worked for the Church for almost 40 years, the biggest frustration is always another meeting to make important timely decisions. The Church seems to have two speeds - slow and stop!
At the minimum, Cdl. Farrell is irredeemably naive being a close collaborator with Maciel and a 6 year roommate of McCarrick. Who would put someone that naive about con men in charge of money? At worst, he's the man described by J. Paul Lennon as participating in a lightly clad pillow fight for Maciel's purile enjoyment and an knowing enabler of McCarrick's sex abuse while they shared a home. I always wonder why people don't quote J. Paul Lennon more in his accusations of Farrell? Is "My Father Who Art in Bed" an unreliable account of sexual corruption in the Legionaries of Christ? Is there a more reliable witness or public account of corruption in the Legionaries of Christ? When even Phil Lawler won't go there, I do wonder about the reliability of such a book and who has better sources.
My take is that Francis knows the Vatican is corrupt as h-e-double hockey stick and has put the corrupt Farrell in charge of financial reforms because he won't raise a stink about the terrible things he finds and can be relied upon to do Francis' personal bidding. I don't see a more rational explanation for why someone of Farrell's obvious low moral caliber would rise to such a position. Does someone else have one?
As crazy as Vigano is now, when he was put in charge of Vatican finances, there was an extraordinary turnaround from tens of millions of Euros in the red to being in the black. I wonder if seeing the darkness of the Church up close for so long is what finally drove him to conspiracy theories as a way to cope?
This seems like another sad chapter in a very long, sad tale of corruption, theft, and criminal irresponsibility.
Here is a suggestion. Why not cut a deal with the SSPX and give them one of the historic churches in Rome to staff and maintain? I'm sure that they will be able to raise the money to take care of the church and the historical treasures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzKV8uniNm4
Thanks for your reporting. Can you do an analysis indicating what happens if the Vatican goes bankrupt?
Part of me is rooting for the Vatican to go bankrupt. With their refusal to address abuse, most recently exemplified in the Principi affair, it seems like they/we deserve it. Especially when their answer to the financial crisis is to put McCarrick's old roommate on the case. Maybe the answer is just to burn the whole thing down and start over?
The whole thing makes me too heartsick even to comment -- except to say thank-you to The Pillar for its coverage.
I cannot emphasize and underscore enough--speaking as a Catholic, as a historian, as someone who has been involved with the Vatican--how utterly, monstrously, inexcusably wrongheaded, dangerous, and harmful this (distressingly prevalent) attitude is, and in particular how utterly opposed to the interests of abuse victims and justice in the abuse crisis it is.
The ONLY way for the Catholic Church as an institution to deal with abuse equitably on a global scale is to have centralized governance and judicial processes and safeguarding mechanisms. For that you need the Curia; and not just the Curia, but (and again, I cannot emphasize this enough) a WELL-FUNDED CURIA.
A poorly funded Curia will be one (as we are, alas, increasingly seeing) where the DDF is overwhelmed with cases, where processes for dealing with abuse slow down, where integral safeguarding mechanisms are neglected, where oversight of the local Churches becomes impossible, where poorer Churches are unable to afford critical safeguarding infrastructure.
A bankrupt Curia would put all safeguarding efforts back decades; to the situation we had during the crisis where local bishops and bishops' conferences are able to do as they please with little oversight, and where cases last forever without resolution. It would be an absolute disaster for the Church, for abuse victims, and for justice.
This is not a new lesson; it is one that Church history has taught again and again. Meaningful Church reform (and I cannot emphasize this enough) REQUIRES WELL-FUNCTIONING, WELL-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS. This was true in the 4th century; it was true in the 16th century; it is true now. The collapse of institutions in some utterly perverse desire for justice will serve exactly the opposite end.
Frankly, now is the time for good Catholics to INCREASE their donations to the Curia, and in particular for the DDF and the Pontifical Commission for Minors (and their associated foundation). They are doing extraordinarily valuable work with insufficient funding and there is much, much more that could and should be done in the near future.
It would cost precisely zero dollars for the Pope Francis to fire Pena Parra, laicize Rupnik, etc... yet he hasn't done it. Giving him more money won't change that. And as far as needing a centralized Curia to take care of abuse cases all over the world, absolute nonsense. We need subsidiarity, not consolidation. One centralized institution can't handle an entire world's worth of cases no matter how well funded. The work load has to be spread out. In fact, I think the Vatican has hindered reform efforts more than helped and we would be in better shape if the USCCB and local dioceses didn't have to rely on them as much. I don't see how a sane person could look at the Vatican response to abuse and think we need more of that, that's where I should send my money.
Yes. "Give us money or we'll unleash the rapists" is a fundraising appeal even the Borgias might blanch at.
I would like to see the actuarial reports on the pension fund, if available...
Perhaps if the leadership were worthy of the sacrificial support of the faithful--oh, nevermind, let's promote McCarrick's creature again.
Filth.
Is the Francis legacy intellectual, theological and financial ruin? When a formerly successful business hits the wall after dumping its old "product line" and strategy for a new one, usually you have to either go back to the old products and strategy or change the current approach. Not double down on the failed current approach. Especially when you can see competitors (all the liberal Protestant denominations) with the same strategy further down the road to collapse.
I do believe that if anyone can whip this thing into shape, it will be Farrell. He did a solid job in Dallas, turning a diocese that didn't even have a standardized chart of accounts into a fiscally "tight ship."
Given that he was a McCarrick protege, how transparent was/is he? Thank you
Maybe Pope Francis should ask Elon and Vivek to have a look at things!
Without commenting on Cardinal Farrell’s financial abilities, about which I have no knowledge, it sounds like two things need to happen. Hire a development director and a competent financial professional, like a CPA or financial advisor or CFO! And be transparent. As a CPA who has worked for the Church for almost 40 years, the biggest frustration is always another meeting to make important timely decisions. The Church seems to have two speeds - slow and stop!
At the minimum, Cdl. Farrell is irredeemably naive being a close collaborator with Maciel and a 6 year roommate of McCarrick. Who would put someone that naive about con men in charge of money? At worst, he's the man described by J. Paul Lennon as participating in a lightly clad pillow fight for Maciel's purile enjoyment and an knowing enabler of McCarrick's sex abuse while they shared a home. I always wonder why people don't quote J. Paul Lennon more in his accusations of Farrell? Is "My Father Who Art in Bed" an unreliable account of sexual corruption in the Legionaries of Christ? Is there a more reliable witness or public account of corruption in the Legionaries of Christ? When even Phil Lawler won't go there, I do wonder about the reliability of such a book and who has better sources.
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/curious-background-popes-fixer/
My take is that Francis knows the Vatican is corrupt as h-e-double hockey stick and has put the corrupt Farrell in charge of financial reforms because he won't raise a stink about the terrible things he finds and can be relied upon to do Francis' personal bidding. I don't see a more rational explanation for why someone of Farrell's obvious low moral caliber would rise to such a position. Does someone else have one?
As crazy as Vigano is now, when he was put in charge of Vatican finances, there was an extraordinary turnaround from tens of millions of Euros in the red to being in the black. I wonder if seeing the darkness of the Church up close for so long is what finally drove him to conspiracy theories as a way to cope?
This seems like another sad chapter in a very long, sad tale of corruption, theft, and criminal irresponsibility.
Here is a suggestion. Why not cut a deal with the SSPX and give them one of the historic churches in Rome to staff and maintain? I'm sure that they will be able to raise the money to take care of the church and the historical treasures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzKV8uniNm4