Follow the Money

[Dave]

Vatican cleric Scarano charged with money-laundering
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25831234


Monsignor Nunzio Scarano is already on trial and under house arrest on separate charges of plotting to smuggle 20m euros ($26m; £17m) into Italy. The former Vatican accountant and two other people were served with arrest warrants on Tuesday, police said. Last year, Pope Francis set up a commission to review the bank's activities after a series of scandals.

Italian tax police released a video showing details of the monsignor's luxurious 17-room home in Salerno furnished with valuable antiques. Vatican investigators are currently going through the bank accounts of many clerics working in areas of southern Italy, where organised crime syndicates operate.

Monsignor Scarano spent several months last year awaiting trial in Rome's Queen of Heaven prison, and was then released to house arrest for health reasons. American financial inspectors appointed by Pope Francis believe the monsignor may not be alone in having used the Vatican bank for money-laundering operations.

Traditionally the Vatican has opposed the right of the Italian judiciary to investigate alleged crimes committed by its officials on the grounds of diplomatic immunity and privilege, reports the BBC's David Willey in Rome. But under Pope Francis, increased cooperation between the Vatican and Italian authorities led to the arrest of Monsignor Scarano last summer, our correspondent says.

'False donations'
On Tuesday, police seized some 6.5m euros in bank accounts and real estate, including Monsignor Scarano's luxury apartment in the southern city of Salerno. Authorities said the latest charges against the cleric related to "false donations", which he allegedly recycled from offshore accounts through the Vatican bank. Prosecutors allege that Monsignor Scarano got dozens of people to make contributions to a home for the terminally ill in Salerno, and used the money to pay off a mortgage on one of his properties.

Another Catholic priest has also been arrested on charges of laundering and making false statements, officials say.

Attachments:

[Dave]

The lavish homes of American archbishops
By Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Editor
www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/08/us/american-archbishops-lavish-homes/?hpt=hp_t1

A CNN investigation found that at least 10 of the 34 active archbishops in the United States live in buildings worth more than $1 million, according to church and government records.*

That's not counting hundreds of retired and active Catholic bishops in smaller cities, some of whom live equally large.

Among archbishops, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York leads the pack with this 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue, in one of the priciest corridors of Manhattan.



Vanderbilt Appraisal Company, a New York firm hired by CNN to estimate the building's value, said it's worth at least $30 million. Dolan shares the neo-Gothic mansion, which is reportedly filled with thick red carpets and priceless antiques, with three other priests.

Chicago's Cardinal Francis George lives in a pretty fancy crib, too.

This mansion has 19 chimneys and sits on 1.7 acres of prime real estate in Chicago's ritzy Gold Coast neighborhood. It's worth $14.3 million "as is," but the property could fetch far more, appraisers told CNN.

George, whose private quarters occupy the mansion's top two floors, according to the archdiocese, shares the residence with two bishops and a priest.

Three nuns who care for the cardinal and his mansion live in a 5,800-square-foot coach house near the main residence.

The mansion's size, architectural details, location and unobstructed view of nearby Lincoln Park make the residence "one of a kind," said Thomas Schurer, director of sales for Chicago's Real Valuation Services, which appraised George's residence for CNN.

Representatives for Cardinals Dolan and George point out that their mansions were built more than 100 years ago and are used as offices and for hosting guests and fundraisers as well as residences. They also say the mansions are historical landmarks and can't easily be sold or converted to other uses.

A century ago, Catholics celebrated the success of their church in the United States by building mansions for their archbishops, historians say. It was a way of saying, "We've made it, and we're here to stay."

But the point has been proved, some Catholics say, and Pope Francis has urged archbishops to refocus their resources on caring for the poor and marginalized.

"There's no reason a bishop has to live like a prince or medieval monarch, even if he inherited the place from his predecessor," said the Rev. Steven Avella, a Catholic priest and professor of religious history at Marquette University. "They should convert the mansions to museums and move into rectories."

In addition to regal residences, many archbishops acquire other perks: live-in assistants, housekeepers, chauffeurs and cooks. Others live alone in roomy residences.

Archbishop James Sartain of Seattle,
for example, lives by himself in a three-story house. The appraised value is $3.84 million, according to the King County Department of Assessments.


Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, Connecticut,
lives in this nearly 9,000- square-foot mansion, which was appraised at $1.85 million, according to government records.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami
lives with his secretary, a priest, in this six-bedroom, six-bath house. A tiki hut and pool in the backyard overlook Biscayne Bay.



The 5,350-square-foot residence is worth more than $1.38 million, according to Miami-Dade County assessors.

This castle-like mansion, once featured in an article on the "Palaces of St. Louis," is home to St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson.



The 11,000-square-foot home, which Carlson shares with a priest-secretary, is worth $1.4 million, city appraisers say. Two nuns also live on the property, but not in the house, and cook and clean for the archbishop. In 2008, Carlson also bought a house in Estero, Florida, for $327,500, according to public records.

Archbishop William Lori's home in Baltimore
dates back to the very first bishop in the United States, John Carroll, historians say.

The 11,500-square-foot building, where the archbishop lives with his priest-secretary and the rector of the Baltimore Basilica, is connected to the historic basilica by a passthrough. The Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation says the residence, which includes offices for Lori and the rector of the basilica, is worth about $1.24 million.

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio
lives in this 5,000-square-foot residence, which includes a courtyard, a private chapel, a fireplace and a wet bar.

The residence was built by Garcia-Siller's predecessor in 2009 for $1.1 million. At the time, the archdiocese was facing a budget shortfall that resulted in the firing of 11 full-time employees, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

In addition to the above examples, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles spent $7 million building a 26,000-square-foot rectory for its former archbishop in 2002, according to public records. Archbishop Jose Gomez, who moved to Los Angeles in 2010, now lives there with six priests.

The Archdiocese of Denver is building a $6.5 million, 13,500-square-foot center that will include meeting space, a kitchen, a library, a chapel and an apartment for Archbishop Samuel Aquila. The residence portion, which includes living space for several other priests, will cost about $1.3 million, according to the archdiocese.

Even in smaller cities, some archbishops live in houses few in their flock could likely afford.

Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, for example, lives by himself in a four-bedroom, four-bath house in Hamilton County, Ohio.

The archdiocese bought this house for Schnurr in 2009 for $469,718, which led to some grumbling by local Catholics.

In response to questions about archbishops' residences, representatives for the church leaders say they are used as more than living quarters. They also have offices, host functions like fundraisers and house church staff besides bishops.

That's the case with Dolan's mansion, which connects to St. Patrick's Cathedral, said Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York. Besides, it's on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it can't easily be sold or converted to other uses, he said.

"Even if, in your wildest imaginations, you could dream up a scenario in which the archdiocese would want to sell it, it couldn't be sold since it is a landmarked building and has to remain as-is," Zwilling said.

Dolan has acknowledged, however, that Pope Francis' example has led him to question "the perks, the cushiness, we associate with being a bishop."

"I find myself examining my own conscience ... on style, on simplicity, on lots of things," he told National Catholic Reporter last year. "I also find myself thinking about living arrangements, because that's a pretty nice house I'm living in."

Zwilling said he's not aware of any discussions about Dolan moving out of his mansion.

As for George, he floated the idea of selling his Chicago residence in 2002, saying, according to the New York Times, "How can I call on my priests to display humility in their lives if I'm living in a mansion like that?"

Colleen Dolan, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Chicago, said she's not aware of any discussions about George selling or leaving the mansion.

"The cardinal uses the building for meetings and receptions with donors," Dolan said, "and we'd be hard-pressed to find any other place that could serve those purposes."

Catholics are a generous lot, said Sister Sally Butler, a Catholic nun who ministers in Brooklyn housing projects and has clashed with bishops over their response to the church's sexual abuse scandal. But they expect their donations to pay for missions like feeding the poor, training priests and educating students, not keeping up multimillion-dollar estates, she said.

Like many Catholics, Butler said she is particularly galled by revelations that Archbishop John Myers of Newark, New Jersey, is spending $500,000 to add a wing to his already $800,000 weekend/retirement house. The new wing will include an indoor exercise pool, a hot tub, three fireplaces and a library.

"It's scandalous!" said Butler, 83. "I guess they think they're entitled to it, but someone has to take these archbishops aside. It's so far from the gospel message and the Pope's example."

[Virginia]

I am watching a tv show called Tiny Houses. If I were to do things over--this is what I would live in. Also live off the grid. After all what does a person need but a toilet-shower, cooking area and tv and chair. Oh and a bed. All the rest of the house is unused space -hard to heat and cool.

The show showed a Hansel-Gretal house that the couple have lived in for 20 yrs. It is something out of a fairy tale. Something I would love. These tiny houses cost $20,000 and can be build on a trailer to be able to move it or can be stationary and sit on a concrete slab.

If you have children--maybe this is not feasible.

[Richard]

You know, you are making such an excellent point.

For 5000 years man has lived close to nature. Most individual houses from 200 years ago do not exist any longer and almost none of the houses before then. Because they were all built as temporary structures, just as our mortal lives are a temporary. For thousands of years, the priorities of man have been food, shelter, warmth, family. Life spans were so much shorter. Disease and death were so much more random. The concept of an eternal life, at peace and rest, in the loving arms of the Lord was such a better option. Even the every idea of eternal peace and rest offered hope to man, regardless of how difficult life was

However, over the last 150 years, or so, this has all changed.

Progress has insulated man from much of the difficulties. The toil of life has become the frustration of paper work and red tape. Man has forgotten how to hunt. We have destroyed nature to the point that being a hunter gatherer is no longer possible. The electronic revolution is progress that has had the end result of isolating one another from each other. Families are broken. Once it was all about family and loved ones, but today man (and women) walk away from their responsibilities and commitment, as if, then meant anything anyway.

Today we are so pre-occupied with the toil of living that many have lost their connection to nature and the natural way. For example, every culture throughout history had beliefs in the spirit world. Most cultures on earth today believe in the spirit world. Except, here in the west. We are to smart to believe in that. We have science.

American's read the stories of children being beheaded in Iraq and no one cares, no one is moved. As long as it is not happening on their block or street no one cares. Just give me a beer and a football game an EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD is right.

[Virginia]

I agree with what you are saying. So many children killed today by their parents. Forgetting you left a child in the hot car. But I'll bet they remembered their cell phone. What has happened to parents today. A child goes missing but parents wait 24 hrs before they call police. Did they just go to bed because they could not be bothered to call police?

[Virginia]

I agree with what you are saying. So many children killed today by their parents. Forgetting you left a child in the hot car. But I'll bet they remembered their cell phone. What has happened to parents today. A child goes missing but parents wait 24 hrs before they call police. Did they just go to bed because they could not be bothered to call police?

[Richard]

Police Find 6-Year-Old Girl Roaming Busy Streets After Mother Allegedly Locked Her Out To Have Sex
By Dominic Kelly, Sun, August 10, 2014
www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/police-find-6-year-old-girl-roaming-busy-streets-after-mother-locked-her-out-have

A Texas mother was arrested and charged with endangering a child after she allegedly locked her six-year-old daughter out of her home so that she could have sex with her boyfriend.

22-year-old Jolisa Renee Peterson was arrested back in May after witnesses called police to report that a young child was attempting to cross a busy Houston intersection by herself. When police caught up with her, the girl had walked more than a half a mile by herself to a gas station and told police that her mom made her go outside to play because she was “asleep with a boy.”

Police later arrived at Peterson’s apartment to question her, and initially, she claimed that she didn’t know her daughter had left the apartment, but upon further investigation, police discovered that the door was locked from the inside since the young girl obviously didn’t have a key. Additionally, court documents say that the apartment complex manager reported seeing the six-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother roaming around the complex on their own.

Peterson was promptly arrested, and now, after appearing before a judge, she’s officially been charged with child endangerment.

Sources: Daily Mail, KHOU, USA Today



Lets see, who do we love more, self gratification or our children?

[Richard]

Vatican bank makes big profit
Virginia Harrison, CNNMoney (London) May 25, 2015
money.cnn.com/2015/05/25/investing/vatican-bank-results/

It's been a good year for the Vatican bank as it works to scrub clean the sins of the past.
Stronger income from trading securities including bonds and a fall in operating expenses drove a sharp rise in profits last year.

Net profits hit €69.3 million ($76.1 million) in 2014, up from €2.9 million ($3.1 million) a year earlier, according to the bank's annual report released Monday. The bank said the improvement was "essentially the result of financial market developments."

The bank serves thousands of Catholic charities, religious orders and dioceses around the world. For the past several years, it has been trying to shake off a reputation for murky dealings that date back decades.

It has been hit by a criminal investigation, high-level resignations and international accusations that it wasn't doing enough to prevent money laundering.



Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

[Larry]

I remember mom always making us wear our nicest clothes to church.
At one time I paid over $50 for a Bible
I bought my wife a leather cover for her Bible for >$30
Subscriptions to Christian devotionals and newletters
10% of my income every week

Sometimes I wondered if I could afford to be a Christian

[Richard]

To bad you don't live near!

Our Church is well aware of this Christian financial delema. We do appreciate donations and all we use it for is the building and supplies. We wish we didn't have to, but through our history nothing seems to be the perfect fix.

We did not build this building until 1992. Before that we met in homes, barns, and sometimes the school gym. Our group became too large for a home or a barn and the law prevents religious activities at the school.

We are in Buena Vista Colorado. Without a building to hold everyone we could not come together as a group for 8-10 months of the year.

It was a hard decision because we feel just as you do $$$$$$$$$$$$

Once we made that decision, then the issue was: it is the Churches money, as good stewards for Christ we struggled spending the money. Our building is very simple, but built to last and that turned out to be a lot more than we hoped.

We were not even a 501C3 until we saw what the property taxes on that building would be. Should we burden the congregation financially over a stupid building or file some meaningless paperwork?

I want to serve the Lord, but often feel like a business man operating a store.

Yet, our Church reaches out to more youth in our community than any other institution in town, religious or not. Our youth ministry feels effective. We occupy them with outings, BBQs, trips, and more just to keep them near the Word of the Lord. This all cost $$$$$$. For a Church to drive 8 children to Denver and back cost so much more than just the gas money. Without our 501C3 status we just couldn't afford it.

If you think the issue of money is hard from your side, just know that it equally hard from the Churches side (at least mine)

[Larry]

I think it offensive that churches build million dollar building and preach about giving to the poor.

Are you aware of the fraud in those 'Christian' Ministries that want you to send money to help a child in a forgien country. There was a TV documantary about one charity that gave only 3 cents of every dollar donated to the actual target of the ministry. The rest of the money was use for administrative fees.

I do not donate. Should I?
I do not tithe. Should I?
I do not help those guys standing at the entrance to WalMart with 'help me' signs. Should I?

How do you know your charatible gift goes to a charity case not the into the pockets of thiose running the charity?

[Richard]

How do you know your charatible gift goes to a charity case not the into the pockets of those running the charity?


You don't

Panhandlers. This is a way of life for many people. John Stossel of ABC News Nightline dressed up as a homeless man and just sat on a street corner. He did talk to people. He didn't look them in the eye. He did nothing except set there and made more than 250 dollars in a day.

A few years ago, our youth group gathered together supplies for these homeless people. Energy bars, a wash cloth, a bar of soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, and a pocket sized New Testament. Each time we saw someone begging at an intersection we gave them a bag. One of the favorite places for these beggers to stand is at the corner of Colorado 24 and 224. Our youth group had to clean up the corner because the needy did need what we gave them and it was thrown in the ditch for us to clean up.

I give at the Church, but that is just money. I volunteer my time. I help those who need transport in winter. I used to be very active with meals-on-wheels. Everyone in town knows that if they need help with something, I am here for them.

Jesus is not about the money. No one ever found God at the bottom of a dollar bill. Actually, the more money you have the farther away from God you become. You can only worship one master. Where you keep your treasure there also is your heart.

A few years ago I helped some kids push their car into the gas station and I bought them $5 worth of gas, but usually I never give money.

What people truly need has nothing to do with money

[Larry]

It bothers me when people better off than I tell me I should give my money to the poor, while they drive nicer cars than mine. I never could understand why the church wants my money to help do God's work on Earth, but that works is usually a new car for the preacher or a new $10,000 organ for the church.  There is an empty church here in town. It is listed on the real estate market for $500,000. It sit abandoned. Somebody should have use all that money used to build that building, heat that building, maintain that building and gave it to the poor instead.