(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 17.07.2024).- The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), known as the Vatican Bank, has implemented a new rule prohibiting marriages between its emloyees, causing controversy and astonishment as the measure, apparently geared to combatting favouritism and nepotism, has generated a delicate situation for two employees who wish to marry, and fear losing their jobs.
According to information published in “Il Messaggero,” the case of these two employees reached the attention of the Apostolic See’s Labour Office (ULSA), the Vatican’s Labour Court, although no decision has been made on the matter. ULSA has jurisdiction over labour questions in the Roman Curia and other entities administered directly by the Apostolic See. However, given that the couple has not yet contracted marriage, it seems improbable that there are ongoing formal proceedings.
The IOR has undergone several significant changes recently. On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis signed a chirograph that renewed the Institution’s structure and a new Statute was published. This document establishes clearly that the IOR has public canonical legal personality, and that any controversy must be treated by the Courts of Vatican City State, which contradicts the information published originally by “Il Messaggero” and reaffirms that ULSA has no competence in this matter.
In fact, ULSA issued a press release confirming that it has not received any request related to possible disciplinary measures against the IOR’s employees. Moreover, it stressed that the exclusive competence over such matters is that of the Courts of Vatican City State, which reinforces even more ULSA’s exclusion on this matter.
This situation makes evident the conflict between the Vatican’s new internal regulations and the Doctrine of the Church on marriage. Whereas Pope Francis has repeatedly praised the beauty of marriage, describing it as “a challenging but valuable journey,” the IOR’s new normative could hinder the union of two of its employees, potentially leading to their dismissal.
The prohibition of marriages between IOR employees is not only surprising but also places the Holy See in an awkward position. This measure, although intended to prevent favouritism, seems to contradict the principles promoted by the Pope himself, who has fervently defended the importance of marriage in Christian life.
