Vatican
City, 4 July 2013 (VIS) - On Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 July, a
meeting was held of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of
Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See, presided over
by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. Particularly
noteworthy was the visit on Wednesday 3 by the Holy Father Francesco,
who addressed the speakers and engaged in a brief dialogue,
reiterating the aims and purpose of the Council and inviting the
continuation of periodical meetings.
Cardinal
Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the Prefecture for the Economic
Affairs of the Holy See, presented before the Council first the
report on the consolidated financial statement of the Holy See for
the year 2012 and subsequently that of the Governorate of Vatican
City State.
The
consolidated financial statement for the Holy See for the year 2012
closes with a profit of € 2,185,622, due mainly to good performance
in financial management.
The
most significant categories of expenditure are those regarding the
cost of personnel,(2,823 persons), means of social communication
considered in their entirety, and the new property taxes (IMU) which
resulted in an increase in expenditure of € 5,000,000 compared to
the previous year's figures.
The
administration of the Governorate is autonomous, and independent of
contributions from the Holy See. Through its various offices, it
supervises requirements related to the administration of the State.
The 2012 financial statement closes with a profit of € 23,079,800.
The Governorate employs a total of 1,936 persons.
Peter’s
Pence, the contributions offered by the faithful in support of the
Holy Father’s charity, passed from USD 69,711,722.76 in 2011, to
USD 65,922,637.08. Contributions made pursuant to canon 1271 of the
Code of Canon Law - i.e., the economic support offered by
ecclesiastical circumscriptions throughout the world to maintain the
service the Roman Curia offers the universal Church - passed from USD
32,128,675.08 in 2011 to USD 28,303,239.28 in 2012, a reduction of
11.91%.
Further
contributions to the Holy See on the part of the Institutes of
Consecrated Life, Societies of Apostolic Life and Foundations passed
from USD 1,194,217.78, in 2011, to USD 1,133,466.91, with a reduction
of 5.09%. In total, therefore, there has been a decrement of 7.45%
compared to the total in US dollars recorded in 2011.
The
Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), as it does each year,
offered the Holy Father a significant sum in support of his apostolic
and charitable ministry. For 2012 this was a sum of € 50,000,000.
The
Cardinal Fathers reflected on the data presented in the financial
statements, acknowledged the positive results attained, and
encouraged the reform necessary to reduce costs through the
simplification and rationalisation of existent bodies, as well as
more careful planning of the activities of all administrations. The
Members of the Council expressed their deep gratitude for the support
given, often anonymously, to the Holy Father’s universal ministry
in spite of moments of economic crisis, and encouraged the
continuation of this good work.
