“The office directed by Mr. Libero Milone, contrary to its powers, illegally charged an external company to carry out an investigation on the private life of representatives of the Holy See,” it was in these terms, that the Vatican revealed the reasons for the resignation of Milone, and responded to an interview published by the Italian newspaper La Corriere della Sera on September 24, 2017.
Libero Milone, 69, was for two years the first auditor of the Vatican’s accounts. He gave his resignation on June 19, 2017.
“I did not resign voluntarily,” he said to the Corriere, saying: “I was threatened with being arrested.”
He spoke “for three hours,” in his lawyers’ study to the Corriere, to the Wall Street Journal, to Reuters and to Sky Tg24. He protested his innocence and said he was a victim of fabricated accusations.
The Holy See’s response this Sunday, September 24, 2017, is one of astonishment that he has come out of his reserve. “The Holy See notes with surprise and regrets the statements made by Libero Milone, former General Auditor. Thus, he has failed to keep to the agreement (to observe) reserve on the reasons for the resignation from his post.”
Therefore, the Vatican also comes out of its silence and reveals the reason for this resignation.
“He is reminded that, according to the Statute, the task of General Auditor is to analyze the budgets and the accounts of the Holy See and connected administrations.
“Unfortunately,” the statement continues, “it has been shown that the office directed by Milone, going beyond its competencies, illegally charged an external company to carry out investigations on the private life of representatives of the Holy See.”
The Vatican notes that these actions constitute a “crime.”
“In addition to constituting a crime, they have irremediably compromised the trust placed in Dr Milone, who, placed before these responsibilities, freely accepted to tender his resignation. Finally, it is assured that the investigations have been carried out scrupulously and in respect of the person.”
