How the Vatican sold its soul

[zengrifter]

June 3, 2009
How the Vatican sold its soul

A new book by the journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi lays bare a history of political bribes being paid through the Vatican's central bank

The Vatican appears to have an enduring vocation for Italian political and financial scandal. Secrecy and intrigue were the order of the day when American archbishop Paul Marcinkus held sway in the Bastion of Nicholas V, the medieval tower housing the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), the Vatican's central bank.

The requirements of a clandestine global struggle against atheist communism may explain the choice of business partners such as Michele Sindona and Roberto Calvi, whose mafia links and ruinous bankruptcies brought lasting discredit on the Catholic church three decades ago.

The Vatican hoped that a goodwill payment of $240m to the creditors of Calvi's Banco Ambrosiano's would salve its conscience and erase the memory of Marcinkus's inept and dishonest banking practices. We were led to believe that a new broom, wielded by the lay banker Angelo Caloia, had since swept the premises of the IOR.

MORE- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...n-central-bank

[InPlay]

Originally Posted by zengrifter

June 3, 2009
How the Vatican sold its soul

A new book by the journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi lays bare a history of political bribes being paid through the Vatican's central bank

The Vatican appears to have an enduring vocation for Italian political and financial scandal. Secrecy and intrigue were the order of the day when American archbishop Paul Marcinkus held sway in the Bastion of Nicholas V, the medieval tower housing the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), the Vatican's central bank.

The requirements of a clandestine global struggle against atheist communism may explain the choice of business partners such as Michele Sindona and Roberto Calvi, whose mafia links and ruinous bankruptcies brought lasting discredit on the Catholic church three decades ago.

The Vatican hoped that a goodwill payment of $240m to the creditors of Calvi's Banco Ambrosiano's would salve its conscience and erase the memory of Marcinkus's inept and dishonest banking practices. We were led to believe that a new broom, wielded by the lay banker Angelo Caloia, had since swept the premises of the IOR.

MORE- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...n-central-bank

Don't forget about the God Father !

[zengrifter]

Originally Posted by InPlay

Don't forget about the God Father !

As opposed to the PMs Daddy? zg

[bj bob]

Originally Posted by zengrifter

As opposed to the PMs Daddy? zg

Ha ha Zg, Bet you're waiting for Aslan to take the bait and respond to this one. Too bad. As we speak I've got his fingers super glued and drunk on mojitos with Magical Mystery Tour playing in the background, so you'll just have to give him a few more days to respond. The poor dude needs a break.

[shadroch]

The Vatican is a building. Actually, it's a series of buildings. Buildings do not have souls. Not even buildings made from Catholic rocks.

[aslan]

Originally Posted by zengrifter

June 3, 2009
How the Vatican sold its soul

A new book by the journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi lays bare a history of political bribes being paid through the Vatican's central bank

The Vatican appears to have an enduring vocation for Italian political and financial scandal. Secrecy and intrigue were the order of the day when American archbishop Paul Marcinkus held sway in the Bastion of Nicholas V, the medieval tower housing the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), the Vatican's central bank.

The requirements of a clandestine global struggle against atheist communism may explain the choice of business partners such as Michele Sindona and Roberto Calvi, whose mafia links and ruinous bankruptcies brought lasting discredit on the Catholic church three decades ago.

The Vatican hoped that a goodwill payment of $240m to the creditors of Calvi's Banco Ambrosiano's would salve its conscience and erase the memory of Marcinkus's inept and dishonest banking practices. We were led to believe that a new broom, wielded by the lay banker Angelo Caloia, had since swept the premises of the IOR.

MORE- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...n-central-bank

It started out like this. Remember the apostle, Judas? At least these modern Judases seem to have done it for the supposed good of the Church, and not for personal gain.

[Katweezel]

Originally Posted by shadroch

The Vatican is a building. Actually, it's a series of buildings. Buildings do not have souls. Not even buildings made from Catholic rocks.

What is a catholic rock?

[Katweezel]

Originally Posted by aslan

It started out like this. Remember the apostle, Judas? At least these modern Judases seem to have done it for the supposed good of the Church, and not for personal gain.

The supposed good of the church you say? Was Calvi murdered then, to silence him, also for the supposed good of the church? I happened to be in London at the same time his body was found hanging beneath a bridge, and made to look like a suicide. But Scotland Yard detectives - who are equal to the best in the world - smelled a rat, the stink of which led them straight to the vatican, where further investigations came up against er, uncooperation and a certain recalcitrance.

[shadroch]

Originally Posted by Katweezel

What is a catholic rock?

See the Religious Wars thread.

[Katweezel]

Originally Posted by shadroch

See the Religious Wars thread.

Recently it was The Da Vinci Code. Then it was Angels & Demons. Now, it's this financial scandal. This is what appears to be - and what Aslan might say - is a conspiracy to discredit the vatican. I have a theory #2. This is the unfolding of the karma-schmarma that Az scoffingly labeled it when he dismissed it recently. I have theories #4,5,6, & 7 waiting to go.