(VIS) The Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organisational and Economic Problems
of the Holy See met in the Vatican on Tuesday 3 July and Wednesday 4 July, under the
presidency of Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. Cardinal Giuseppe
Versaldi, president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, presented
the consolidated financial statements of the Holy See for 2011, then those of the
Governorate of Vatican City State. The consolidated financial statements of the
Holy See for 2011 closed with a deficit of EUR 14,890,034. The most significant items
of expenditure were those relative to personnel (who as of 31 December 2011 numbered
2,832) and to the communications media considered as a whole. The result was affected
by the negative trend of global financial markets, which made it impossible to achieve
the goals laid down in the budget. The administration of the Governorate is autonomous,
and independent of contributions from the Holy See. Through its various offices, it
supervises requirements related to the administration of the State. The consolidated
financial statements for 2011 closed with a surplus of EUR 21,843,851. As of 31 December
2011, the Governorate employed a staff of 1,887. A particularly significant contribution
to the result came from the Vatican Museums, which produced a revenue that passed
from EUR 82,400,000 in 2010 to EUR 91,300.000, for a total of more than five million
visitors. According to specialised rankings, these figures place the Vatican Museums
among the most prestigious and important such institutions in the world. Peter's
Pence - i.e., donations made by the faithful to support the Holy Father's charity
- rose from USD 67,704,416.41 in 2010 to USD 69,711,722.76. Contributions made pursuant
to canon 1271 of the Code of Canon Law - i.e., the economic support offered by ecclesiastical
circumscriptions throughout the world to maintain the service the Roman Curia offers
the universal Church - rose from USD 27,362,258.40 in 2010 to USD 32,128,675.91. Further
contributions to the Holy See made by institutes of consecrated life, societies of
apostolic life and foundations rose from USD 747,596.09 in 2010 to USD 1,194,217.78.
Thus the overall increase with respect to 2010 was of 7.54 per cent. As it does
every year, the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR) offered the Holy Father a significant
sum to support his apostolic and charitable ministry. The amount involved for the
financial year 2011 was EUR 49,000,000. During the meeting, according to a communique
made public today, "the cardinals present made numerous comments in which they made
clear their appreciation at the completeness and transparency of the information they
had been given. Recognition was expressed for the commitment to the ongoing improvement
of the administration of the goods and resources of the Holy See, and a call was made
for prudence and limiting costs, though while maintaining jobs. Unanimous pleasure
was declared at the generous support of the faithful and of ecclesiastical institutions,
even more praiseworthy given the persistent economic crisis. The members of the Council
also expressed their profound gratitude at the support the faithful give, often anonymously,
to the universal ministry of the Holy Father, and exhorted them to continue this good
work. "Finally, under the terms of article 25 (2) of the Apostolic Constitution
'Pastor bonus', Paolo Cipriani, director of the IOR, outlined the economic position
of the institution he directs. This was followed by a debate during which the members
of the Council were provided with the necessary clarifications".