愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Vatican Bank fires couple whose marriage breached new workplace ban

Members of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march in front of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). Tony Gentile/Reuters via CNN Newsource Members of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard march in front of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). Tony Gentile/Reuters via CNN Newsource
Share

The Vatican Bank has fired two employees whose recent wedding violates a newly-introduced ban on marriages between staff.

In a statement published Wednesday, the Institute for the Works of Religion, as it is officially called, said it had made the 鈥渄ifficult decision鈥 to fire the pair because 鈥渢he formation of a married couple among the employees is in fact blatantly contradictory to the current regulations鈥 at the bank.

鈥淭his decision, taken with deep regret, was dictated by the need to preserve transparency and impartiality in the Institute鈥檚 activities, and in no way intended to question the right of two people to be united in marriage,鈥 it added.

The bank said that its policy is designed to prevent conflicts of interest at an institution with only around 100 employees, all of whom work at the same location.

Laura Sgro, a lawyer representing the couple, who have not been named, said that they had told the bank of their intention to marry in February, but the new regulations banning marriage among employees were only adopted in May.

Sgro said the couple, who have three children, were told that their employment had been terminated on October 1.

Sgro added that she had 鈥渃hallenged and contested鈥 the decision as she considers it 鈥渘ull, illegitimate and seriously detrimental to the fundamental rights of individuals and workers and, therefore, devoid of any effect.鈥

Sgro added that the couple had appealed for an exemption from the rules to Pope Francis and bank director Gian Franco Mammi. Neither responded to the request, she said.

The Vatican Bank has a history of financial scandals and in 2013 Pope Francis set up an expert committee to recommend reforms to the economic and administrative structures of the Holy See to combat the problem.

It was part of the pope鈥檚 long running attempts to crackdown on financial corruption and bring transparency and accountability to the Vatican鈥檚 management of money.

Since then, investigations have resulted in convictions for high-profile figures.

In January 2021, Angelo Caloia, the former head of the bank, was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for money laundering and aggravated embezzlement, becoming the highest-ranking  official to be convicted of a financial crime.

And in December, Giovanni Angelo Becciu was handed a five and a half year jail sentence after being convicted of several counts of embezzlement. He鈥檚 the first cardinal to be convicted and sentenced by a Vatican court.

Becciu has denied the charges and his lawyer has said he plans to appeal the convictions.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Police have confirmed the body of an employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax over the weekend was found in a walk-in oven.

At least seven large-scale butter thefts have been reported in Guelph, Ont. over a 10-month period, including two hauls in just the last month.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault promised on Tuesday to toughen secularism measures in schools, saying he was 'shocked' by revelations about a Montreal public school where a group of teachers had tried to introduce what the premier described as 'Islamist' beliefs.

Local Spotlight

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.

A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the 鈥楩ellow in Yellow.鈥

Stay Connected