Pope Benedict XVI is reported to be “shocked and saddened” by the arrest of his valet, Paolo Gabriele, who has served in the Pope's inner circle for six years.
The Holy Father was informed of Gabriele’s arrest and detention after the papal assistant was found to be “in illegal possession” of confidential Vatican documents.
More details emerged today of what is said to have been found in his apartment. Vaticanista Marco Tosatti of La Stampa, quoting unnamed Vatican sources, has reported that a “staggering amount” of confidential material kept in boxes was discovered by investigators, including equipment needed to photograph and reproduce documents.
Other leaked documents, published in the book “His Holiness: The Secret Papers of Benedict XVI” by Gianluigi Nuzzi, such as correspondence relating to the Secretary of State and Nunciatures around the world, were not discovered, giving weight to the theory that others have been involved in the scandal.
Nuzzi writes in his book that his main source told him he was acting as part of a “small group” of Vatican insiders concerned about corruption and a thirst for power within the Vatican, but that none of the moles knew who the others were. The alleged "boss" of the moles - someone code-named "Maria" – claimed in a Feb. 22 television interview that at least twenty other "deep throats" were at work.
Meanwhile, a former confessor of Gabriele remains incredulous that he should be suspected of such a crime, describing him as "a man who is in love with the Church and deeply devoted to the Pope."
***
This afternoon, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi released the following statement, confirming that Paolo Gabriele has been charged:
“I confirm that the person arrested Wednesday night for illegal possession of confidential documents, found in his apartment in Vatican territory, is Mr. Paulo Gabriele, who remains in custody.
It concludes the first phase of a "summary investigation" under the direction of the Promoter of Justice, Prof. Nicola Picardi, and the start of a "formal investigation" phase conducted by the investigating judge, Prof. Piero Antonio Bonnet.
The defendant has appointed two lawyers of his choice, to act at the Vatican Tribunal, and has had a chance to meet them. They will assist in subsequent stages of the proceedings. He enjoys all the legal guarantees provided by the criminal codes and criminal procedure in force in Vatican City State.
The investigatory phase will continue until an adequate picture of the situation being investigated has emerged, after which the investigating magistrate will either acquit the suspect or send him for trial.”
In a further statement published May 28th, Fr. Lombardi denied allegations circulating in the Italian press that cardinals and a woman are under investigation.
***
L'Osservatore Romano today (May 29th) published an interview with the No. 3 at the Vatican, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, who as "sostituto" is responsibe for the day-to-day running of the Vatican. "The Pope was not merely robbed of letters," he said. "Violence has been done to the consciences of those who turn to him as Vicar of Christ, an assault has been made on the ministry of the Successor of the Apostle Peter." When it was put to the archbishop that a motive was the Church's cleanliness, transparency and reform, he replied: "There can be no renewal that tramples on the moral law, even on the basis of the principle that the end justifies the means, a principle which, among other things, is not Christian."
While he discusses the Pope's sorrow at the disclosures, he says the Holy Father "is not lacking in the serenity that leads him to govern the Church with determination and clear-sightedness".
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I was shocked…and stunned. Yeah. Definitely shocked and stunned.
After reading about this, I just couldn’t help thinking about the words of our Holy Father on 4/24/05:
[Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.]
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20050424_inizio-pontificato_en.html
Prayers are obviously needed…
Dear Friends in Christ,
Let’s not forget to pray for Gabriele and all the others who have turned against the Church. And for their families, especially the children, who are blessedly innocent, young lives now so changed, ruined by their father’s choice to use their hands to do evil instead of God’s work. Perhaps the Church can show God’s unconditional love and support them while their father’s serve whatever sentence they are given by the Italian courts.
God Bless You,
Tony
The church and all who hold and teach the catholic faith needs prayer, the devil is always at work doing tricks to lead and distract those who are committed in working for God through their selfless service to the church. There is a great need to prayer to pray for all who works in the Vatican both religious and lay-people so that their works and actions may do good to the church than evil.
It is clear to me that irregardless of what else or who else is
found the Evil One is attacking the church’s credibiltiy ably
assisted by his right hand man: the secular media. Prayers for
all esp the Holy Father in this horrible betrayal of trust.
So how will we lay people know who is telling the truth? How long has this been going on? What is the extent of the deception?
Why didn’t anyone have the courage to speak up, like a man, presumably these are MEN that are leaking information? Why the code name “Maria”? Is that person a woman?
There was absolutely nothing secret about the 12 apostles and Jesus’ other disciples.
On this Feast of Pentecost, where is the work of the Holy Spirit in this?
With the out cry of our Holy father Pope Benedict XVI,about this betrayal-i think we should ponder and reflect on the betrayal of One of Our Lord Jesus intimate disciples,(Judas Iscariot),he was never condemmed by our Lord,but rather he was called ” A FRIEND” even at the point of death,let us pray for Mr Paolo,the this spiritual battle shall weaken hi faith in the sacrament of pennance.
He needs our fervent prayers.
All of this is just so convenient. Sorry, but I think he’s being set up. And I would like very much to know when the last time someone was prosecuted by the Vatican “justice system” and what due process rights the accused has.
Re: Terah James ‘ On this Feast of Pentecost, where is the work of The Holy Spirit in this’
“The Holy Spirit whom The Father will send in MY Name will reveal to you all TRUTH’
—-here we see the revelation of the cloak and dagger betrayal of our Holy father Pope Benedict XVI and the Church.
The most chilling vision was seeing on secular TV NBC 10 news, this butler pouring wine for our holy father. I saw exactly what Judas did to our Dear LORD!!!
Indeed, Prayer is the answer !!
LORD, You alone can heal us for we have grieved You by our sins, AMEN!!!!!
How ludicrous to compare the Bishop of Rome in 2012 to the first bishop of Rome who was crucified in the mid 60s’ AD. Jesus himself had secret, private talks with the apostles until they and the world could take the Truth after pentecost. The pope like any of us has correspondece and communications in every medium possible as head of the Church and Vatican City State. I pity the temptation that dragged his trusted valet into this mess, cash for him perhaps and skull-duggery for the others in their power grabbing and jealousy. Jesus was betrayed for far less so no surprise there. I pray for Mr Gabriele his wife and three children. And the pope who is so humble and totally not a political schemer- Jesus is and always His focus.
Do keep in mind that the man is accused, not proven guilty, before rushing in to make comparisons with Judas, a wolf, or whatever. It is a good idea to pray for him, and for the Holy Father, but not to presume to judge his guilt, state of soul, or what he needs to do next.
We must continually pray for Pope Benedict for protection from all evil and especially from his enemies within and without the Vatican. St. Pius X said, “I saw one of my successors taking to flight over the bodies of his brethren. He will take refuge in disguise somewhere; and after a short retirement he will die a cruel death. The present wickedness of the world is only the beginning of the sorrows which must take place before the end of the world.” Pray that Benedict can stay and not flee for fear of the wolves.
Hmm… if (and that’s a big if?) this is a reliable source and an accurate story… then this is a *very* interesting and potentially explosive interview:
http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2012/05/28/news/intervista_ansaldo_english_version-36076134/?ref=HRER1-1
And then there is this too:
[“I think this is a very serious moment it is a grave crisis because it has to do with the breach of trust in the inner circle of the Vatican,” said Robert Moynihan,” editor of the magazine Inside the Vatican.“The pope cannot be sure that a document at his own desk isn’t going to be taken and photocopied. It seems that the person taking those documents has been discovered but there is a general feeling that this represents more than that, that there is someone else behind it,” Moynihan told Reuters television.]
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/29/worldupdates/2012-05-28T181008Z_3_BRE84R0AS_RTROPTT_0_UK-VATICAN-BUTLER&sec=worldupdates
Keep praying…
Things like this make me wonder if this isn’t the Pope of the third Fatima secret. We live in an age of open anti-religious policies and attitudes in the popular culture and especially among the “elite”. It’s hard not to believe that things are about to get worse than even George Orwell imagined. We need to pray and fast.
Seems like everyone is missing the most interesting aspects of the story. From the beginning the secular sources, although gossip rags, have been ‘on point’. The “conspiracy” indicates these folks are trying to address is corruption in the Vatican! Their motive is to uncover corruption! This is even more scary than “the butler leaked B16 docs”. Apparently they did not feel “cleaning house” could be done w/out “leaking”. Why? Why not simply tell the Holy Father? The American Nuncio was reported to be renowned for “cleaning house” then he was “moved out” by the Holy Father. Why? The head of the Vatican bank was unexpectedly voted out last week. Why? This is very complicated, messy, and of course, disgusting. Hold onto your hats. The house of Peter needs cleaned and who is involved, what is involved, and why all this is happening are a long way from being answered. The butler seems to be the tip of the iceberg. Corruption? Cover ups for negligence or crimes? Heaven help us.
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