By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Giorgio Corbellini, a canon lawyer and head of the Vatican human resources office, interim president of the Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority after accepting the resignation of Cardinal Attilio Nicora.
The pope accepted Cardinal Nicora’s request "to be relieved of his position," the Vatican said in a Jan. 30 announcement. Cardinal Nicora, 76, was appointed president of the financial watchdog agency when it was established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.
The Financial Intelligence Authority monitors the financial and commercial activity of all Vatican entities, including the so-called Vatican bank and the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, which Cardinal Nicora led as president from 2002 until 2011. The administration handles the Vatican’s investment portfolio and its real estate holdings.
Pope Benedict established the Financial Intelligence Authority to ensure Vatican offices and agencies could not be used for money laundering or the financing of terrorism and to bring Vatican financial transactions into line with international standards.
Bishop Corbellini has worked at the Vatican since 1985, when he was assigned to the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. In 1992, he became head of the legal department in the office governing Vatican City State and, a year later, he was named vice secretary of the office. Pope Benedict named him a bishop and head of the Vatican labor office in 2009.
In announcing Pope Francis’ decision that Bishop Corbellini would be interim president of the Financial Intelligence Authority, the Vatican said he would continue as head of the Vatican labor office. He also continues as president of the disciplinary commission of the Roman Curia, a commission that evaluates disciplinary action taken against Vatican employees.
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