Francis calls for clarity over Vatican finances

THE POPE has told his new economic oversight council that it must be “courageous and determined” in helping the Church not to waver from bringing the Gospel to the world and helping those in need, writes Carol Glatz, CNS.

“A new mentality of evangelical service” must take hold throughout the Vatican, the Pope told the Vatican’s new Council for the Economy last Friday, the day it met for the first time. He told members they play a critical role in his larger efforts of reforming the Roman Curia.
Francis established the council of eight cardinals and seven lay experts to set policies for the administrative and financial activities of all Vatican offices and bodies.

Referring to the council and the related Secretariat for the Economy, which will implement the policies determined by the council, Francis said the Church had to protect and carefully manage its assets in light of its mission. He thanked Australian Cardinal George Pell, head of the secretariat, for “his Australian rugby-like tenacity”, referring to the sport the cardinal played professionally as a young man.