News Briefs

In anti-corruption law, Pope Francis seeks to quash Vatican ‘envelope’ culture with ban on gifts over $50

April 29, 2021 Catholic News Agency 0
The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. / Luxerendering/Shutterstock.

Vatican City, Apr 29, 2021 / 04:50 am (CNA).

As part of a sweeping new anti-corruption law, Pope Francis on Thursday declared that officials of the Roman Curia should no longer accept personal gifts with a monetary value over 40 euros (about $50).

The new rule appears to be an effort to quash the Vatican “envelope” culture, in which large monetary donations are made to bishops and cardinals working in the Roman Curia.

These gifts have been blamed for contributing to corruption in the Church when they were used between high-level Church officials to seek favors, most notably in cases like that of ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

Pope Francis’ April 29 apostolic letter, issued in the form of motu proprio (“on his own impulse”), added this rule to the General Regulation of the Roman Curia, along with other requirements ensuring that Vatican personnel who handle the Vatican’s economic affairs are not involved in financially corrupt or illegal behavior.

In the motu proprio on “provisions on transparency in the management of public finance,” Pope Francis said that, “according to Scripture, fidelity in small things is related to fidelity in important ones.”

Referencing Luke 16:10, he added, “just as being dishonest in matters of little consequence is also related to being dishonest in important matters.”

The pope said that the new law was intended to bring the Holy See and Vatican City State further in line with international best practices on corruption and financial transparency, building off of his May 2020 motu proprio on transparency in the awarding of public contracts.

The new measures were necessary to “prevent and fight, in every sector, conflicts of interest, methods of patronage, and corruption in general,” Francis said.

He added that those who work in or are connected to the Vatican “have a particular responsibility to make concrete the fidelity of which the Gospel speaks, acting according to the principle of transparency and in the absence of any conflict of interest.”

Under the new regulation, the cardinals leading dicasteries or other offices, and senior management and administrators of the Holy See and Vatican City State, whose jobs require handling money, will be required to sign a document every two years attesting that they and their finances are not connected to crime.

In the statement, they must declare that they do not hold shareholdings or interests in companies that operate “with purposes and in sectors contrary to the Social Doctrine of the Church.”

They must also attest that all goods owned by them originate from lawful activities and are not the profit or product of crime. In addition, they must say that they have never been convicted of a crime and are not under any criminal trial or investigation for crimes of corruption, fraud, terrorism, money laundering, tax evasion, trafficking, exploitation of minors, or participation in a criminal organization.

The employee or official must also promise to not hold any cash or investments, including shareholdings or interests, in companies and businesses on a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, or in countries considered at high risk for money laundering or terrorist financing.

The declaration will be held in the Secretariat for the Economy’s employee files and a copy will be kept in the Secretariat of State. The Secretariat for the Economy is authorized to verify the truth of the statements and false declarations will be subject to “a serious disciplinary offense.”

The new regulations must be enforced within 90 days of the law’s publication.


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Providence diocese relaxes restrictions at liturgies

April 28, 2021 Catholic News Agency 0
A family prays at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, June 2020 / lev radin/Shutterstock

Washington D.C., Apr 28, 2021 / 15:00 pm (CNA).

The Diocese of Providence is transitioning toward “normal liturgical practices” following new public health guidelines from the state of Rhode Island. 

“Now that many of the restrictions imposed on gatherings in our state have been lifted, we are overjoyed to return to a more normal liturgical experience,” Fr. Jeremy Rodrigues, the diocese’s director of divine worship, told CNA in a statement. 

“This also affords us the opportunity to reinvigorate our parishes and appreciate the beauty that is the Catholic Mass,” Fr. Rodrigues said.

The new diocesan protocols will go into effect on May 7, and are aimed at creating a more welcoming environment to parishioners by eliminating “any unnecessary social restrictions on the faithful.” 

The diocese said that the faithful should be encouraged to attend Mass during the week and “especially” on Sundays, but it is still dispensing Catholics from their obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Under the new protocols, capacity at churches will be increased from 75% to 80%, and social distancing will decrease from six to three feet between families or individuals. Pews once roped off to enforce the six-foot distancing measures will be available for seating again. Parishes should stop requiring parishioners to reserve seats at Mass, and “markings, tape, plexiglass, and other signage related to COVID restrictions should be removed,” the diocese directed. 

Fr. Rodrigues praised parishes for acting to prevent any traceable outbreaks of COVID-19.

“It is very encouraging to the faithful that our parishes have done so well in the midst of the pandemic keeping everyone safe and healthy. There have been zero traceable outbreaks in all of our parishes,” he said. 

Celebrants of Mass and ministers are no longer required to wear masks under the new diocesan standards, and altar servers and lectors are encouraged to participate at Mass once again – as well as extraordinary ministers “if necessary.”

The new guidelines allow for liturgical processions to and from the altar, and hymnals and other worship aids can be placed in the pews. 

The diocese encouraged choirs to begin singing again while adhering to social distancing standards. Churches can again fill their Holy Water fonts and ushers may again use offertory baskets. 

Parishioners are now allowed to offer the Sign of Peace but with no physical contact. This should “simply be done verbally,” the diocese said.

Holy Communion no longer needs to be distributed after the final blessing. The diocese also stated that “the lay faithful should be reminded that they may receive Holy Communion either on the hand or on the tongue.”

The use of harsh chemicals on the pews or the sanitization of the church after every Mass is no longer necessary, the diocese said. 

Certain protocols will be kept in place by the diocese, including the availability of hand sanitizing dispensers at church vestibules, and the wearing of face masks indoors for large gatherings – except in cases of individual health concerns. 

The diocese maintained that distribution of the Precious Blood is suspended for the lay faithful. Parishes must still allow for proper ventilation for increased airflow, and HVAC filtration when possible. Parishioners must still avoid unnecessary crowding at the entrances of the church and in the aisles whenever possible.  

The diocese allows for members of the same household to forgo social distancing in pews but for those who aren’t it is still encouraged. 


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