Secretariat of State: Gabriele trial ascertained the facts
(Vatican Radio) On Thursday the deadline expired for the prosecution to appeal the
verdict in the case against former Papal butler Paolo Gabriele, found guilty by the
Vatican court of aggravated theft and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Early
afternoon, the Holy See Press office director, Fr. Federico Lombardi informed media
that “since no appeals have been filed…that sentence has become final. Therefore,
by mandate of the president of the Tribunal, the promoter of justice this morning
ordered the guilty party be imprisoned, in enactment of the sentence. The order will
be carried out during the course of the day"
Also Thursday the Vatican Secretariat
of State issued a separate communiqué on the case. It stated: "The sentence in
the trial of Paolo Gabriele, which has now become final, puts a full stop to the end
of a sad affair which has had very painful consequences.
"A personal offence
was done to the Holy Father; the right to privacy of the many people who, by virtue
of their office, addressed themselves to him was violated; the Holy See and a number
of her institutions suffered prejudice; communications between the bishops of the
world and the Holy See were hindered, and scandal was caused among the community of
the faithful. Finally, for a period of many months the serenity of the working community
which daily serves the Successor of Peter was disturbed.
"The accused admitted
his guilt at the end of a judicial process which took place transparently and justly,
and with full respect for the rights of the defence. The trial was able to ascertain
the facts, showing that Mr Gabriele had carried our his criminal plans not at the
instigation or incitement of third parties, but on the basis of his own personal convictions,
which can in no way be shared. Various conjectures about the existence of plots or
the involvement of other people have, in the light of the sentence, been shown to
be false.
"Now that the sentence is final, Mr Gabriele will have to serve the
prison term imposed upon him. He also faces a procedure for dismissal, as laid down
in the Regulations of the Roman Curia.
"As regards the term of imprisonment,
the possibility of pardon still remains which, as has been reiterated on a number
of occasions, is a sovereign act on the part of the Holy Father. It does, however,
reasonably presuppose repentance on the part of the accused, and a sincere request
for pardon to the Supreme Pontiff and those who have been unjustly offended.
"In
relation to the harm caused, the term inflicted appears both lenient and just, a fact
due to the specific nature of the legislative system from which it arises".