BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank

Subject: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 08:35 PM

As the conclave started on the quest for a new pope, two dark clouds put a damper on the day for the Vatican bank.

First the ninth circuit court of appeals in San Francisco ruled that a WW2 restitution lawsuit filed in 1999 against the Vatican Bank and the Franciscan Order could proceed. Previously some US courts have been cautious about opening the door for cases involving activities beyond the jurisdiction. Yesterday's judgment paves the way for claims arising from the Nazis and their Croatian allies converting the property looted from Serbs, Jews, and former Soviet citizens into funds that were subsequently laundered by the Vatican Bank.   

Anticipating an adverse judgment and realising that the amount at issue could exceed $100 million, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Sodano, appealed to Condoleezza Rice to intervene, but the US state department declined to get involved.

For anyone interested, the court decision is here: here.

The second bit of news the Vatican Bank will not have wanted to hear is that four people have been indicted in Italy for the murder of the financier Roberto Calvi, who was found hanged under a bridge in London way back in 1982. For many years his death was passed off as suicide - a verdict vigorously challenged by, among others, David Yallop, in his book "God's Banker." The Italian indictments will once again put under the spotlight the financial scandals in which the Vatican was involved at that time (as a result of which Bishop Marcinkus had to be harboured in the Vatican as a fugitive from justice) - and also the extent of its links with some of Italy's leading players in organised crime.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peace
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 08:38 PM

Thank you for posting this, Fionn.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:16 PM

We conclude that some of the claims are barred by the political question doctrine and some of the claims are justiciable. Although the parties have multiple procedural and substantive challenges to overcome down the road, they are entitled to their day—or years—in court on the justiciable claims.

Which means that the whole thing is going to the Supremes, who may or may not hear the case, and even if they do, they could overturn the 9th Circuit. It's going to be a very long time, I think.

Also, the 9th Circuit isn't known for being upheld by the USC....

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: robomatic
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:26 PM

Is this for real. Hadn't heard of it. Would appreciate a pointer toward some background.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:32 PM

Also, the 9th Circuit isn't known for being upheld by the USC....

You bet! The 9th Circuit is, and historically has been, weird! What else would you expect on the Left Coast?

You understand, I'm not saying they are wrong in this instance.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:35 PM

Neither am I.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peace
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:39 PM

Google

news, vatican bank

Story from 1 hour ago San Jose Mercury

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: dianavan
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 04:00 AM

Hmmmm........

Am I suprized?

Not!

I am just waiting for the day the Vatican is stormed by indignant Catholics. I hope I see the day.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 04:46 AM

Not for nothing is the Catholic Church divided into cells! I wonder if that's where the Communist Bloc countries got the idea?
G

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 15 Jun 05 - 05:11 AM

Here's an extract from an email I've just had from Jonathan Levy, the attorney representing the claimants:

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a Vatican petition for reconsideration and has shown no interest in a Vatican request for an extraordinary en banc hearing of the Ninth Circuit. This follows the Ninth Circuit decision of April 18, 2005 ruling that Holocaust survivors will be permitted to continue their claims against the Vatican for an accounting and restitution of the so-called Ustasha or Croatian treasury consisting of funds plundered from former Yugoslavia during the Second World War.

For details of the claims and the evidence on which they are based, click here: Vatican Bank Claims

For a broader picture of the inglorious US-Vatican collusion in the aftermatch of WW2, and how the notorious Klaus Barbie helped force open the whole can of worms, try the Verona reports.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jun 05 - 06:03 AM

After skimming the Verona papers and its web of cold war intrigue there seems to be plenty of material here to write Godfather 4 - "the CIA connection".

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peace
Date: 15 Jun 05 - 12:22 PM

Something to keep in mind--the Vatican has one of the 'best' intelligence agencies in the world. Churches in every country--darned near--and people willing to pass on information to the heirarchy.

Just an observation.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 15 Jun 05 - 06:51 PM

Rest assured Donuel - someone's working on it.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Jun 05 - 01:46 PM

Of course all the other banks are perfectly moral and legal, even those sons of bitches that bankrolled Galtieri for every bullet and missile his men fired during the Falklands campaign.

Or the other bastion of the high street who propped up apartheid for many the year and oft.

They all bankroll bastards like that (people that even the most purblind can see are a load of diarrhoea about to be swept down the pan of history), and then they charge you twenty quid (and more)to write you a letter saying you are 50p over your agreed overdraft....

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 02:33 PM

Weelittledrummer, your post was perhaps more stupid than you realised. There ARE banks around the world that manage to behave decently. In the UK, for instance, the Cooperative Bank, Unity Trust, Smile, Triodos.... But perhaps you are right that if some banks sink to the gutter, we should just accept that the Vatican be right down there with the worst of them.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: GUEST,shrew
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 02:44 PM

Yes, other banks do sink to the gutter but at least you don't expect them to be morally upright.

Just another example of how churches (not just the Vatican) misrepresent their congregations.

Subject: RE: BS: A gloomy day for the Vatican bank
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Jun 05 - 12:22 PM

I suppose in the end it all comes down to ones experience of these people - for that's all they are I guess - people just like us, trying to make a living from the dull earth. And let he who is without sin etc......

My experience of one of the names on your list has not been a happy one. And if that makes me stupid, so be it.

Something in the air, round the houses about that business though.....someones getting screwed somewhere. that's how I feel and think. And furthermore i don't think you'd have to throw a stick too far before hitting someone with a horror tale about any banking institution.

lets hope you're right, but won't you admit the possibility of being slightly naive.