Posted on 11/01/2024 12:48:20 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A scandal involving Catholic priests who funneled black money to nightclubs, with “investments” reaching up to 3 million euros, has led to ongoing investigations by the authorities.
At the center of the inquiry are nightclub owners, at least one of whom has a criminal record due to previous involvement in extortion, fraud, and threats. These criminal acts also had connections to the church, with reports mentioning an Orthodox priest who fell victim to one of these owners.
Two priests from the Syros diocese are implicated in the case, one of whom holds a high position in the hierarchy, and another from Crete.
The latest “record” identified by the anti-money laundering authority was a transfer of 50,000 euros to the businessman.
For the criminal investigation of the case, a report was sent to the prosecutorial authorities of the Catholic Church in Greece to investigate the two priests for embezzlement and the businessmen for money laundering.
The origins of the case trace back eight years, as revealed by audits showing large sums of money leaving specific accounts managed by the two senior priests, ultimately ending up in accounts of particular nightclub owners, thus appearing as investments in such businesses.
Banking institutions alerted the authority, led by former deputy prosecutor of the Supreme Court, Charalambos Vourliotis, when they detected movements of significant amounts considered “suspicious.”
The next step for the anti-money laundering authority was to conduct a thorough investigation using all available “tools” to map the underground network and identify the actual number of individuals involved in the case. As disclosed recently, there were indications of serious criminal acts, such as embezzlement and money laundering from illegal activities.
Consequently, Mr. Vourliotis initiated the freezing of bank accounts and assets belonging to nightclub owners in the Peloponnese.
(Excerpt) Read more at en.protothema.gr ...
Oh, come on, everybody is doing it… check out public teachers, they are the worst. /s
As a Catholic, it’s wearisome to hear tale after tale of priestly corruption. But then I take some comfort in the hypothesis that Jesus selected Judas Iscariot as his disciple in order to prepare us for the reality of clerical perfidy.
God also gave us very clear instructions in Scripture for qualifications for those in leadership positions and for church discipline.
It’s disgusting that Catholics excuse away bad priests that their religion won’t deal with by appealing to Judas, of all people.
That’s just excuse making.
Catholics have a serious problem with the integrity and moral character of their hierarchy and ought to be dealt with but as long as they refuse to, they essentially set themselves up for the criticism they deserve.
And where in Scripture is that found?
Jesus needed to select Judas for the prophecy of His betrayal and crucifixion to happen.
It's not so men would have an excuse for wolves in sheep's clothing. Jesus' words to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3 show exactly how He feels about corrupt leadership.
And it isn't to excuse it.
“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food [h]in due season? 43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. -- Luke 12:42-48
Still think that Jesus didn't know there would be corrupt church leadership? If you think he's not talking about church leadership here, please see verse 41.
Very sobering words indeed.
Of course Jesus knew there's be corrupt church leadership. What makes you think I didn't think that?
HE warned about it and the Holy Spirit did, alone with Paul, Peter, etc. That's why He left us with instructions on church discipline.
I also, think, though, that those words are meant for His ordinary followers. Once we are given light to understand something and the opportunity to obey or not, then we are accountable for how we live our individual lives as well.
Go easy on them. It’s not their fault that inflation has eaten into revenue from selling indulgences and the relic market is down. Besides what’s good enough for the Vatican Bank is good enough for the parishes. /s
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