Vatican condemns ‘criminal’ leaks [View all]

[marmar]

The Vatican has denounced as “criminal” a new book of leaked internal documents that shed light on power struggles inside the Holy See and the thinking of its embattled top banker, and warned that it would take legal action against those responsible.

Pope Benedict XVI has already appointed a commission of cardinals to investigate the Vatileaks scandal, which erupted earlier this year with the publication of leaked memos alleging corruption and mismanagement in Holy See affairs and internal squabbles over its efforts to comply with international anti-money laundering norms.

The publication on Saturday of His Holiness (Sua Santità), by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, added fuel to the fire, reproducing confidential letters and memos to and from Pope Benedict and his personal secretary which, according to the Vatican, violated the Pope’s right to privacy.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said in a statement the book was an “objectively defamatory” work that “clearly assumes characters of a criminal act”. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120522/religion/Vatican-condemns-criminal-leaks.420830