- Luxembourg's archbishop wants to clear up the Caritas scandal
After a multimillion-dollar fraud case involving the Caritas in Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Luxembourg archbishop, is demanding a full investigation. In a statement, Hollerich called on the recently established crisis committee to collaborate closely with the judiciary. The amount in question is 61 million euros, allegedly stolen from the accounts of the charitable organization.
Hollerich expressed "deep outrage" over "the scandalous misappropriation" of funds "affecting a Catholic organization whose aim is to help the needy in the Grand Duchy and abroad," the Archdiocese of Luxembourg reported. It is now the task of the crisis committee, he said, "to create all the conditions for rebuilding trust."
Luxembourg's prosecutor's office had already initiated investigations in July for forgery, fraud, embezzlement, theft, and money laundering. According to Luxembourg media reports, an employee of the aid organization is suspected of embezzling the 61 million euros. She has been questioned by investigators and released under certain conditions, including not leaving the country.
On August 6, Caritas set up a crisis committee to work with external experts to address the case and restore trust. Hollerich stated that it is also necessary to secure jobs within the charity. Caritas employs around 500 people in Luxembourg.
On September 26, Pope Francis is expected to make a brief visit to the Grand Duchy. Afterwards, the head of the Catholic Church will continue on to Belgium.
The fraud case has put Caritas's relationship with the public at risk, requiring the crisis committee to work diligently in restoring the organization's tarnished reputation. The suspect in the fraud case, an employee, is currently under investigation for embezzling the substantial sum of 61 million euros.
