Vatican trial begins for Bambino Gesù hospital
officials
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| Rome's 'Bambino Gesù' children’s hospital, is owned by the Vatican.- ANSA |
(Vatican Radio) The first hearing by the Vatican tribunal of
a case against two former officials of the 'Bambino Gesù' children’s hospital
took place on Tuesday. The hospital, Europe’s largest paediatric research
centre, is owned by the Vatican and often referred to as ‘the Pope’s hospital’.
Former president of the 'Bambino Gesù' foundation, Giuseppe
Profiti and former treasurer, Massimo Spina, are charged with illicitly
using money to renovate an apartment belonging to Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone, the former Vatican secretary of state. They stand accused of paying
over 422.000 euros of hospital funds to Gianantonio Bandera, owner of the
Castelli Re construction company.
During the morning hearing, tribunal president Paolo
Papanti-Pellettier rejected the defence lawyers’ claims that the Vatican has no
jurisdiction over activities related to the hospital, which is located on
Italian territory. He also rejected a request for journalists to be moved out
of the courtroom.
The tribunal heard a further objection by Massimo Spina’s
lawyer that his client did not have any authority to transfer funds from the
hospital foundation, but only to carry out orders from his superiors. In this
context, the lawyer quoted a letter from Cardinal Bertone, but did not disclose
the contents of the message.
The session closed with a decision for the next hearings to
be held on September 7th, 8th and 9th.
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