In key reform, Pope Francis centralizes Vatican finances

[unhappycamper]

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-pope-francis-vatican-reform-20140224,0,3308993.story

In key reform, Pope Francis centralizes Vatican finances
By Tom Kington
February 24, 2014, 11:53 a.m.

ROME -- In the most concrete sign to date of his intention to reform the Vatican, Pope Francis announced the creation Monday of a single authority to handle all business, administrative and personnel management at the Holy See, a response to the rash of financial scandals that have tarnished the Roman Catholic Church's reputation among believers and nonbelievers.

The new Secretariat for the Economy will draw up the Vatican's annual budget, call on lay experts for advice and launch surprise internal audits. The body will help ensure “a more formal commitment to adopting accounting standards and generally accepted financial management and reporting practices, as well as enhanced internal controls, transparency and governance,” the Vatican said in a statement.

Heading the secretariat is Australian Cardinal George Pell, the archbishop of Sydney, who has been a critic of the Vatican’s lack of accounting transparency. Pell is a member of a group of eight handpicked cardinals whom Francis has tasked with advising him on how to reform the Holy See.

"If we make better use of the resources entrusted to us, we can improve our capacity to support the good works of the church, particularly our works for the poor and disadvantaged,” Pell, 72, said in a statement.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. You know what's really cool?

Reforming stuff has become so common and expected for this pope that it's no longer incredible news.

[Walk away]

2. It's nice to see them taking such good care of Pope Ratzinger's retirement fund!...nt

[bemildred]

3. A good example for the US government, and every other one on the planet. nt