Saturday, May 19, 2012

Vatican: 35 ambassadors visit the IOR

The IOR headquartersThe Vatican is persevering in its efforts towards transparency in its financial activities. 

This morning Vatican Radio reported that a group of approximately 35 ambassadors to the Holy See carried out an extensive visit to the IOR.
 
At 10 am ambassadors were welcomed at the Institute for Works of Religion by the Head of Protocol Mgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu. 

Then, Mgr. Peter Bryan Wells, Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State addressed them with a few introductory words, explaining the meaning of the visit in the context of the Holy See’s aim to be completely transparent in the economic activities that take place in the Vatican. 

The IOR’s general director, Paolo Ciampini then took the floor, giving a long and very detailed speech, lasting about one hour, on the Institute’s mission, its structure, activities and services. 

He then answered a number of questions put to him by those present; these were mostly to do with the IOR’s compliance to the toughest anti-money laundering standards.
 
Ambassadors then paid a visit to the various offices and premises of the IOR, after which they were invited to lunch. 

A second group of ambassadors will visit the IOR in a day or so, so that the entire Vatican diplomatic Corps can gather all the information it needs “on an institute that is being talked about a great deal, often in a critical and non-objective manner – Vatican Radio reported – but which is nevertheless carrying out its work in a highly professional manner, showing transparency and respect for the strictest ethical criteria in the field of economics. A group of American benefactors had previously paid a similar visit.”