New anti-corruption law for Vatican leaders

Victor Vladimirov – Vatican City

According to document, all executives of administrative, judicial and control functions in the Vatican structures are required to sign a special declaration, certifying that they have not been subject to final convictions, criminal proceedings or investigations for corruption, fraud, terrorism, money laundering, abuse of minors and tax avoidance. Leaders must also declare that they do not have money or investments in countries with a high risk of money laundering or terrorist financing, in offshore accounts, or in companies that operate contrary to the social doctrine of the Church.

The innovations are being introduced into the General Regulations of the Roman Curia, affecting leaders of levels C, C1, C2 and C3 – from cardinals in charge of departments to deputy directors with a five-year contract. All of them will have to sign the document upon taking office, and then update it every two years.

The Secretariat for Economic Affairs can conduct checks on the authenticity of the signed statements, and the Holy See, in the event of false declarations, will have the right to dismiss the employee and demand compensation for damage.

In addition, the innovation prohibits all employees of the Roman Curia, the State of the Vatican City and related bodies from accepting “gifts or other benefits” worth more than 40 euros by virtue of their position.

These measures were taken shortly after Pope Francis’ new contracting code of 2020, which emphasizes that corruption can manifest itself in various forms also in sectors other than contracts and contracts: a commitment to transparency for those holding key roles in the public sector to prevent and combat conflicts of interest, patronage and corruption in general in each area. ” That is why the Holy See, which has acceded to the UN anti-corruption convention, has decided to follow the best practices in the field of preventing and countering this phenomenon in its various forms.