The Vatican Bank terminates the employment of a married couple who violated the newly instituted prohibition in the workplace.
In a declaration released on Wednesday, the Institute for Religious Work, known by its official title, announced their choice to let go of a couple due to the controversial situation. The reason given was that the union of a married couple among the staff members directly clashes with the current rules set in place at the institution.
This action, executed with great remorse, was essential in upholding the bank's principles of clarity and impartiality. The stance was not meant to undermine the right of two people to be joined in matrimony.
The bank's policy aims to deter potential conflicts of interest, considering its microscopic workforce of around 100 employees, all operating under one roof.
Legal counsel Laura Sgro, representing the couple who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that they disclosed their marital intentions to the bank in February. However, only in May did new regulations prohibiting on-site marriage among employees come into effect.
According to Sgro, the couple, along with their three offspring, were informed that their employment had been discontinued on October 1.
Furthermore, Sgro brought forward a contestation of the decision, considering it null, illegitimate, and severely damaging to the human and labor rights of the individuals involved, thus rendering it void of any impact.
Sgro also reported that the couple had petitioned for leniency in adhering to the rules by addressing both Pope Francis and bank leader Gian Franco Mammi, but neither acknowledged their plea.
The Vatican Bank has been plagued by financial scandals throughout its history, prompting Pope Francis to establish an expert committee with a mission to suggest reforms to the financial and administrative systems of the Holy See in 2013 in response to this persistent problem.
This initiative was part of the pope's endeavor to eradicate financial misconduct, promote transparency, and instill integrity into the Vatican's financial management.
Following this reform, high-profile figures have faced convictions due to investigations. Notably, Angelo Caloia, the ex-chief of the bank, was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for money laundering and aggravated embezzlement in January 2021, becoming the first Vatican official to be convicted for a financial crime.
Additionally, in December, Giovanni Angelo Becciu received a five and a half year prison sentence, having been found guilty of various counts of embezzlement. As the first cardinal to be convicted by a Vatican court, Becciu has argued his innocence and announced his intention to appeal the verdict.
The bank's policy also helps maintain a professional environment devoid of distractions, as it pertains to the business operations of the bank. Despite the couple's argument, their dismissal was upheld due to the institutional changes in business ethics and conduct.
