Affittopoli in the building of the Diocese of Rome: new scandals and allegations of forgery [INVESTIGATION #2]

After our August 30 investigation about “Affittopoli in the buildings of the Diocese of Rome,” numerous reports have come in calling further into question the management of the Diocese under Pope Francis. Very serious facts are now emerging that directly involve the Legal Office of the Vicariate of Rome, with allegations ranging from falsification of documents to administrative negligence.

The suspicious lease: the impossible timeline

Reports received indicate that, on July 19, during the signing of a new lease agreement, the vice-gerent and the notary Carlo Cavicchioni allegedly committed an act of ‘forgery’. In particular, the contract signed on that date included as ‘Annex A’ an extract of the minutes of the Diocesan Council for Economic Affairs (C.D.A.E.) dated July 2, approving the new lease agreement between the ‘Ospizio Ecclesiastico dei Cento Preti’ (Ecclesiastical Hospice of the Hundred Priests), represented by His Excellency Mons. Baldassare Reina, and the company ‘Wellington Polo Fashion Srl’ of the Argentinean businessman Safdie.

However, subsequent verifications revealed that the minutes in question were in fact drafted and approved only at the July 22 meeting, and not on July 2 as reported. This raises worrying questions: how was it possible to sign a contract three days before the minutes actually existed?

Illegitimate changes and contractual ambiguities

A further element of concern is related to the surety bond, which in the minutes approved on July 22 was supposed to be 50 percent bank and 50 percent insurance, as assured by the director of the Legal Office, Don Renato Tarantelli Baccari.

Instead, the signed contract has a clause that calls for a “bank and/or insurance” surety bond, which is clearly contrary to what the C.D.A.E. resolved.

The discrepancies do not end here. The contract’approval by the Board of Consultants on July 11, 2024, is surprising considering that on that date the C.D.A.E. had not yet approved anything final. This raises further doubts about the regularity of the procedures followed.

Legal actions coming up

Concerning these serious irregularities, we have been informed that legal action will be taken in civil and criminal courts to protect the interests of the Diocese of Rome. A request for the nullity of the lease deed is expected, considering that Mons. Reina, who signed the contract, could not have signed it under those circumstances. Explanations will also be sought from the chancellor Maria Teresa Romano, who allegedly authenticated a certified copy without possessing the signed original, declaring that the extract consisted of only two pages, when in reality surely given the importance of the matter it should have contained many more.

The Legal Office, under the direction of Don Renato Tarantelli Baccari, is at the center of these allegations. It is now asked to verify whether the statements Don Tarantelli made in the Economic Affairs Council and College of Consultors are consistent with what is stated in the signed contract.

The notary’s position and future consequences

Hence, also the notary Carlo Cavicchioni is under the crosshairs. The fact that he attached a nonexistent document to the contract and claimed to have viewed the original is an act that could lead to serious consequences. The competent bodies will be asked to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him, assessing possible civil and criminal liability.

A deafening silence

In this already complex scenario, the silence of the Internal Vigilance Commission, established with the entry into force of the new Apostolic Constitution, is surprising. Their absence from the scene is all the more inexplicable as questions and concerns about the transparency and legality of operations conducted within the Diocese of Rome accumulate.

Many may wonder what still needs to happen for Pope Francis to intervene, putting an end to a situation that now seems unbearable. Will this be the beginning of a new phase of transparency and justice within the Church of Rome? Or will people continue to turn a blind eye to increasingly evident irregularities?

The next developments will be decisive for the future of this affair and for the credibility of the diocese itself.