Vatican Rejects Prelate's Corruption Allegations

Published February 4, 2012 9:09PM (EST)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The administration of the Vatican City State is rejecting accusations of corruption in the Holy See's awarding of contracts.

Last month, an Italian news program reported that a top Vatican official had unsuccessfully begged the pope not to be transferred to Washington after exposing alleged corruption that cost the Holy See millions of euros in terms of higher contract prices.

Archbishop Carlo Maria was the No. 2 administrator until named as envoy to Washington last fall. The Vatican's governship, which oversees outlays for contracts and financial investments, vigorously denied in a statement Saturday accusations Vigano made in letters to Pope Benedict XVI and to the Vatican secretary of state. It said Vigano's assertions were the "fruit of erroneous evaluations or based on unproven fears."


By Salon Staff

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