«In the meeting I had with the Holy Father a few days ago, when he said goodbye he asked me if I intended to be present at the Mass. I told him I didn't have the courage to participate . It is with suffering that I will do so because I would not like to obscure the splendor of your purples with mine, stained by a heavy and unjust condemnation ." It is a passage from a letter addressed on the eve of last Easter by Cardinal Angelo Becciu to the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, a letter in which the Sardinian prelate, involved in the investigation into the funds of the Holy See , reiterates his innocence.

«Dear Brother - writes Becciu in the letter, published by Ansa and sent, in addition to the dean, to all the members of the College of Cardinals - I am writing to you on the eve of Holy Thursday to inform you of a decision that costs me a lot but which I feel in conscience I must assume: I will not come to the Basilica for the Chrism Mass and celebrate together, as always, our priestly day! It is the first time that this has happened to me in my almost 52 years of priesthood, but the external conditions that have been created lead me to this painful decision."

«After Holy Thursday - continues Becciu - Good Friday arrives and it is in the light of that day that I read my story. I feel almost privileged to find myself united with the Lord, who also experienced the humiliation of mockery, failure, condemnation without real reasons, the total annihilation of his dignity as a person. Looking at Him and with the awareness of my clear conscience I have the strength to shout that I am INNOCENT, I AM NOT CORRUPT. As long as I have a breath of life I will shout it to the whole world, in all places and with all means."

Furthermore, «I was convicted - continues Becciu - of embezzlement and fraud, but no evidence was produced. In the almost forty years in which I have served the Holy See - not only as a Substitute - I have never appropriated a cent. I must admit that the trial to which I was subjected was a tremendous experience. If I then add the weight of the insistent media pillory of global dimensions to which I was exposed with my family and recently also with the Bishop of my diocese, the suffering was unspeakable."

«I confess - the Cardinal of Pattada writes -, I would have liked the consolation of one of the Brothers who would say a simple word out loud: enough! Unfortunately it didn't exist. However, I have always relied on your silent prayer! As I told the Pope in the recent meeting, the trial risked destabilizing me humanly and morally. Learning in the Tribunal that some had plotted against me hurt me deeply! ... I have been hit in a crude and violent way by baseless, evil accusations full of hatred and prejudice, unscrupulous accusers who have sworn falsely on the Gospel have been poured against me. The accusation that hurt me most was that of having dishonored the Holy See. No, I do not accept such a false and unjust accusation! I have given my life for the Holy See and wherever I have been I have received generous recognition for my selfless service."

«I don't know how this procedural matter will end - concludes Becciu -, but I am sure that sooner or later the truth will triumph, perhaps even after my death, but it will burst in with all its strength. History will prove me right: it is on the side of the innocent!

(Unioneonline)

© Riproduzione riservata