The Vatican Leaks: does anybody have any idea at all

[hedgehog]

what's being leaked? I've seen references to confidential documents, but that's all.

[mzteris]

1. The Butler did it . . .

[CBHagman]

2. I'm guilty of just skimming headlines, but...

...apparently the documents in question consist of personal correspondence.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-italy-vatican-butler-20120526,0,3989685.story

The authenticity of the papal documents was essentially confirmed when officials strongly condemned the publication of confidential correspondence, prompting the formation of two commissions to find the culprit, including one composed of cardinals.

In many cases, the letters illustrate conflicts with the second-most-powerful man in the Vatican, Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

They indicate that Bertone clashed with Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who was assigned by Benedict to govern the Vatican city-state and clean it up but who was reassigned against his will last year to the top diplomatic post in Washington.

The letters also call attention to an alleged divergence of opinion between Bertone and Gotti Tedeschi on the IOR's path to greater transparency, undertaken in recent years after a massive scandal in the 1980s that tied the bank to the fraudulent bankruptcy of a large Italian bank and the associated intrigue, which included homicide, Mafia connections and secret accounts.

[hedgehog]

3. Don't be surprised if the death of John Paul I comes up again -

I've seen one question already about the security of the Papal apartments in light of these leaks. If people could get in to take papers....

[Matilda]

4. You don't need to worry about security

if there's assistance from inside.

I'm not certain about JPI, but it was a very convenient death for certain highly-placed people in the Church.

[Matilda]

5. It's very interesting, and very murky.

I certainly don't believe "the butler did it". How would a low-ranking Vatican official be privy to confidential documents?

This article is interesting, and I've heard of Bertone before - very hardline, and links to Opus Dei, I believe:

Bertone, a close ally of Benedict, has sparked controversy in some quarters, in particular over his management of the Vatican bank, which has come to symbolise the opacity and scandal gripping the Holy See's administration:

The leaked documents have shed light on many Vatican secrets, including the Church's tax problems, child sex scandals and negotiations with hardline traditionalist rebels.

Although they do not reveal any great surprises, the secret papers have lifted the lid on deep-seated venom among rival figures in the Vatican.

Leaks in January revealed a bitter battle between Bertone and Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who had been attempting to clean up the Vatican's finances when he was removed from his post -- allegedly for cracking down on corruption.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hoCgYuX7_jWzrBqrgaZIyXBOyAVQ?docId=CNG.c168bd7e7b313f3a9fb5ae55bb85824b.151