Thursday 12 October 2017



Vatican seeks prison term over hospital cash used to furnish cardinal's flat
Vatican prosecutors on Monday demanded a three-year jail sentence for the former president of the city state's children's hospital.
He is charged with embezzlement for using donations to renovate a cardinal's apartment.


Image result for cardinal bertone apartment
The Vatican said in a statement that prosecutors also asked for a finding of not guilty against a second defendant, the hospital's former treasurer, citing insufficient proof.


BERTONE

Verdicts could come as early as Saturday, when the trial resumes.
Giuseppe Profiti, the former president of the Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital, has defended spending 422,000 euro in donations to the hospital's foundation to renovate the penthouse apartment of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the retired Vatican number two.


Image result for profiti
PROFITI
Profiti gave evidence that the investment would have brought in even more donations during fundraisers at the apartment.
In formulating his request, Vatican prosecutor Roberto Zanotti said Profiti, in his role as a public office holder, had "committed the vice of excessive power".
The prosecutor also demanded that Profiti pay a 5,000-euro fine and be banned from public office for life.
The hospital's current president, Mariella Enoc, testified on Monday that revelations the funds had been used for the cardinal's apartment caused "very grave damage" to the hospital's foundation.

Ms Enoc said, once she took over, she never held fundraisers at the cardinal's apartment "because it's not my style to raise money by holding dinners at the houses of cardinals or other personalities".

PAT SAYS:

The fact that nearly Euros 500,000 of donations for a Rome children's hospital was diverted into helping to renovate a Vatican apartment for a retiring cardinal is a huge scandal.

This new apartment for BERTONE on a Vatican rooftop was partly renovated by diverting donations and funds from the Bambino Gesu children's hospital.

The apartment contains a Euro 50,000 kitchen! When Pope Francis heard about it he asked: "Is it gold"?

Bertone, who looks the part of a mafia man, is in his 80's. Why does he need such an elaborate apartment at this stage of his life - when he is on his way OUT of the world?

In order to make the apartment bigger, Bertone evicted a sick old priest from the next door apartment to knock the adjoining wall down. The old priest was in hospital at the time and got home to discover his apartment gone and his belongings missing.


AND, why was Bertone not charged for taking the money from the children's hospital. After all, he received stolen money!

Apart from sexual corruption, this case and others show, that financial corruption is widespread in the Catholic Church in every country in the world and from the bottom to the top.

Its one of the reasons that I hardly ever donate to a charity run by the Catholic hierarchy.

42 comments:

  1. If that very large sum of money was donated by charitable people on the understanding that they were contributing to the upkeep of the children's hospital, then the funds being misappropriated to the luxury apartment was THEFT
    No other word would describe it.
    It's not eyes that should be rolling - - it's heads!

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  2. MourneManMichael13 October 2017 at 09:43

    Like you Pat, I don't and never have donated to a catholic, nor any religious 'charity'. By that, I mean one whose 'aim' is specifically religious. I think, (but have no relevant info) that Trocaire does do useful relief work.
    My concerns, and reasons:
    1) High administrative costs of many charities with relatively small proportion of donations actually going to front line relief;
    2)Over large salaries for management people;
    3)Concerns about the real efficacy of many charities.

    I have other concerns, but let me give two examples.
    Guide Dogs for the Blind charity's financial accounts reveal they are quite wealthy, with considerable reserves. Capitalising on the sentimental appeal of dogs and blind clients, they restrict themselves as a business to just the core need of blind people who could benefit from a guide dog. All very commendable, but in addressing the whole range of visually impaired people is this very expensive provision which benefits such a small proportion of total need the best use of resources? I don't think so.
    NSPCC, and to a lesser extent Barnardos, portray themselves as "rescuing" children from abuse. While yes, the NSPCC does investigate abuse, in fact a significant proportion of funds go to provide headline grabbing initiatives and services (publicised of course by their very efficient press people). Many of their service provisions, especially residential are used by public sector cash strapped authorities which are then charged the full going rate, eg, specialist childrens' homes. Additionally, they tend to pay their care staff higher than the equivalent public sector staff, thus 'creaming off' experienced workers into less stressful working conditions.
    So from this perspective, for over last 20 years I've refused all tin rattlers and the like (except the Salvation Army whose services for the down and outs I do value), and had a monthly standing order to PLAN, a UK based childrens charity, sponsoring their work with children, families and neighbourhood groups in Zaire. Unlike Oxfam, which I chucked, they don't plague me for increased donations or campaigns, but do keep me up to date with info on the named child and family I'm linked to. I'd encourage anyone charitably inclined to consider joining PLAN.
    MMM

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  3. Don't be too hard on charities who have amassed resources in reserve though in general terms.... It often a sign of excellent management and no squandering tolerated.

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    1. MourneManMichael13 October 2017 at 12:19

      Excellent management and no squandering is commendable. But when are amassed resources sufficient, and would the contributing public continue to donate if they knew the business mentality reality of some of the most high profile charities who portray their clientele as in desperate need? I don't think so.
      I think sticking money in a tin is an automatic, though well meaning gesture of well intentioned people. While generous, I'd like to see more hard headed consideration and focus for charitable donations.
      Do donors to the apparently destitute middle European ladies soliciting money in Kilkeel, Warrenpoint and Newcastle realise that those same ladies operate in Lisburn,Bangor, Banbridge and Belfast, and that they are 'dropped off' by car to their appointed venues each morning by their 'organiser'. I'd prefer to regard their organiser as a gangmaster who no doubt collects his significant proportion of the days takings.
      I'll stop now, for as is obvious, I have a 'bee in the bonnet' about the misuse of charitable donations!
      MMM

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  4. I agree with MMM. We have to be very honest and discerning about charities, of which we have have far too many, some of them engaging in the same work but from a different ethos. I have stopped giving to Amnesty Int. ever since they began spending exorbitant amounts of money promoting abortion as a human right, forgetting the right to life of the unborn child. Also their executives are on immoral salaries. I give monthly to TROCAIRE as I believe in their work mission and Catholic ethos. It's a well run charity. I now mostly support Br. Kevin's Day Care for homeless families. Our parish fundraises and we are delightef to help in this work of practical compassion. We also support Alicec Leahy's TRUST - another great charity for homeless men and women. After this I support the Pro-life movement unhesitatingly. But there is a greater need for open and transparent accountability right across the charity sector- civil, political, social and Church. Our donations have often been squandered and misappropriated.

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  5. Re/that shocking racist comment this morning at 6.18.. We have been subjected to dreadful comments and responses countless times but this goes far beyond the pale. This person has lost all credibility. After all those tedious column inches of so called "insight" and "expertise" that we regularly have to tolerate, this is what we're dealing with..

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    1. Magna Carta has called Pope Francis an “oily spick” several times in the past. He has also spoken disparagingly of the nationalities of Pope JP2 and Pope Benedict. He’s a racist troll.

      He also comes on to this blog and attempts to brow beat and bully people with his alleged academic credentials and so-called “intellect”.

      He’s allowed to do whatever he likes because he kisses Pat Buckley’s behind and anyone who tries to go after him - or batts back in kind - gets “censored”

      (Remember Carta’s cringeworthy, “I can only approach you, Bishop Pat, on my knees” comment a few days ago?)

      To call someone from Latin America a “spick” is as bad as calling a black person the N word!

      But, hey folks, don’t hold your breath. Buckley has a “soft spot” for the abusive bully of a drunk.

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    2. I am declining some of MC's comments and some comments against him and still trying to allow freedom.

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    3. There’s a common denominator here, Pat - Magna Carta.

      He’s an overbearing, boorish and vitriolic man, who insults your readers left, right and centre. Who else do you have this trouble with? Or presents you with these tensions?

      Calling the Pope a “sp***” is unacceptable and he’s done so before - loads of time.

      Encourage him not to blog and to seek help. Clearly he is of such a volatile nature that he needs some assistance - to say nothing of his drinking! Or just barr him altogether.

      There’s no reasoning with him. Respectful dialogue is impossible for he immediately attacks anyone who has a different view from him as “a fool”; or in some way, intellectually, his inferior!

      There is no excuse for his attitude and behaviour. Stop enabling him!

      When he sobers up later, he’ll be on here again playing the much maligned “victim”. Watch this space.

      STOP ENABLING HIM.

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  6. Pat, you are losing credibility by allowing Magna make racist, despicable, inciteful comment, not for the first time. He deserves to be reported to the guards which I have no hesitation in doing. He may want us to bow to his supposed superior powers but he lacks basic courtesy, respect and human decency. It shoukd nit be a "Magna at any cost approach". He's had his day here on this blog abd has offended, hurt and defamed many people. Let him spew his poison somewhere else.

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    1. Don't worry, the PSNI are dealing with Magna. Racist comments are criminal and I've spent all afternoon with the PSNI reporting it.

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    2. Thank you 17.12. It's time now to take a stand against Magna being allowed to promote his racism, incitement to hatred against clerics, his vitriolic, nasty, defaming comments. Pat should take a more morally courageous, principled approach against this person, Magna, or seek him out to offer him redemption of some kind. We've had enough of his offensive outbursts. And this time - Pat - please don't allow him down on his knees to kiss your feet!

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    3. 17:12, Whoo hoo hullaballoo!πŸ˜†

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    4. Which about sums you up... Hot air!

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  7. If Profitti goes to jail where would they put him. If he had a pointed hat or a collar might jail not be an option

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  8. In a cell?

    He wouldn't wear pointed hat.
    He wouldn't be allowed collar in case of misuse and self harm.
    Sorted..

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  9. Profiti is certainly an apt name for hospital president. Bertone looks like Mussolini sitting on his throne...

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  10. The pattern is: MC becomes more offensive until multiple people complain about him. Then Pat appeals to him to behave. Then MC says everyone else is at fault. Then MC makes sensible, polite subject-related comments for a couple of weeks. Then MC starts again. At no point does Pat call him to task or give him a warning.
    Is it only me who can see that obviously MC only comments here to make Pat Buckley's blog a vile place of abuse and hate speech and reflect this onto Pat himself?
    You're a fool if you let this go on.

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  11. I don't know magna carter I've never spoken to him on this blogg . Some of his writings are a bit over the top at times and I certainly don't condone calling anyone a spick but some of the things that have been said about magna carter are equally as vile . What right has anyone to make comments about alcoholism and addictions or jibes about sexuality ect . If m.c is a bully or as bad as many say on here then your no better . Magna has many times refered to the r.c church as whore and a few other names but maybe he has a right to ? He could be one of the many the church has let down . Like I said I don't know the guy but there's a better way of debating with someone than getting personal

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    1. It's a long time since the RC Church was first called the "Whore of Babylon.

      In many many of our reformed neighbours still think she is.

      And when you think what She is willing to do for money etc they may have a point???

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    2. Never a truer word pat

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    3. 19 31. The truth is Magna is utrerly distasteful, rude, arrogant, racist and offensive. That he may have "academic" achievements does not jystify his vile outbursts. He brings opprobrium on himself. And you should stop trying to defend the indefensible. If the guy has personal problems, which he clearly has, he should seek professional therapy and not use this blog as an outlet for letting go of his inner turbulent and raging turmoils.

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    4. Pat, stop encouraging hate-filled sentiment by your own stupidity and moral blindness. You are so tiresome. Just so predictable. You are adfing nithing constructive orcrational to serious issues but urging more of the rantings that Magna enjoys and of which you are a willing participant. No one is asking for censorship but we deserve better than what's dished up here every day.

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    5. .19.31 I couldn't agree more. There is only one Magna (who can be a bit ott) but there seems to be a whole hoard of people ganging up on him. I don't find him offensive. Do his opponents know him personally?

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    6. He gets personal in the most obnoxious ways!!

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    7. A mature person would know how to put MC in his place and would not crave to have him as a sycophant.

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  12. 19:31 comments - and validly - on how people react to Magna Carta's comments here. My opinion is that this reaction can only be one of the things he wants to happen on this blog. Either he ruins the blog by his own behaviour or by the reaction his abuse naturally elicits in others.
    He will continue until he is banned or this blog is a wasteland of abuse and hate speech. His only aim can be to use this blog to discredit Pat Buckley.
    I will repeat Pat, you're dealing with someone intent on destroying your public reputation. You are apparently quite happy to let this happen.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, God! I wondered when the conspiracy theorists would join the frayπŸ˜†

      Some very portentous people about today.πŸ˜…

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    2. It's always everyone else isn't it?

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    3. A commenter here who genuinely respected Bishop Buckley the way you say you do would be horrified at a reader drawing the conclusion from his behaviour that he wants to destroy Bishop Buckley's work. But no.

      Delete
  13. MourneManMichael13 October 2017 at 20:52

    Magna, recently you have made some very balanced insightful informed comments. I think others, like me, welcomed your new approach, and commented favourably on it.
    But in your brief outburst this morning you have descended to the level of some of the worst troll like contributors to Pat's blog. The initial paragraph of Anon's comment at 19:10 above is a very fair reflection of the pattern.
    None of us know for certainty why you choose to behave like this, and there have been suggestions linked to excessive alcohol, and/or your innate personality. Some might use the word 'manic' for the swings and contrasts of the now outdated psychiatric term for bi-polar behaviour.
    Whatever the reasons Magna, I believe that if you wish to continue contributing to Pat's blog, you absolutely need to moderate your contributions, especially in your use of derogatory,abusive, and personalised language. Otherwise Pat may well be obliged to bar you for the reasons others have commented on above.
    And+Pat, while I appreciate your wish for openness in allowing freedom, if this continues as well as losing credibility and followers, you might well find yourself in difficulties for permitting racist abuse as is pointed out above.
    MMM

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    1. Thank you for appealing MMM for rationality and balance. When MC is good he is very good and when he is bad.....

      But I feel his heart is in the right place.

      MC please help me by keeping her between the ditches :-)

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    2. And thus the cycle begins again. There will now follow some sensible posts by Magna Carta for a while.
      Pat, I would just point out that a blog is (in this case) a *public* weblog by its owner and as in the case of this blog, some owners allow discussion and comment. As your weblog it should be the public expression of your activities and views
      As the publisher, *everything* on this blog reflects on you, not the writers.

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    3. A total waste of time MMM as MC is just a silly attention seeker and completely incorrigible.

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    4. He “descended to the level of some of the worst troll like contributors to Pat's blog”? Really MMM?

      “Descended to the level”, you know! He IS the worst “troll like contributor” - th head of the troll pack.

      Furthermore, Pat Buckley’s benignly indulgent, chortling, attitude towards him is disgusting/ nauseating - ENABLING this extremely obnoxious troll to continue trolling.

      He showed his level yet again at 6am this morning with his disgraceful use of a racist term; but Buckley clearly enjoys having his ass kissed by Carta approaching on his knees.

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    5. MMM I rarely agree with you but I totally agree with you on this point. Pat is tottaly misguided over Magna. I respect your honesty and your outburst. It was timely.

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  14. Who is this priest on the late late tonite?

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  15. MC go on ya boy ya. Schtick to the speed limit. I remember Seamus Moore's song about a Honda 50. Im off to take me meds now. A pleasant night to one and all

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  16. Do u know this priest on the late late Pat..?
    Ballyfermot Dublin, I think

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  17. Late late show... That was Fr Joe Mc Donald.. a disaster waiting to happen...

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  18. The Priest on the Late Late show is a highly respected priest in Ballyfermot and in the Dublin Diocese. He is a man of immense integrity, compassion and understanding. He is in my view a prophet - a man who seeks and brings renewal, change and comnunity. A man who stays true to his Church and to Christ but who challenges from within in an honest, thoughtful, imaginative and creative way. I think a "bishop" called Pat might and could learn much from him!

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    1. Saw her a few times on 'Tonight with Vincent Browne. Needless-to-say, Vincent wiped the floor with her.

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