"My brother is innocent, the Court did not want to disavow a decision already made by the Pope."

And again: «We are surprised that such a harsh sentence was organized just before Christmas. It's a nice Christmas present."

This was said in an interview with Tg1 by Mario Becciu , brother of Angelo Becciu , the cardinal of Pattada sentenced by the Vatican Tribunal to 5 years and 6 months in prison at the end of the trial on the management of the Holy See's funds.

How is your brother? «He is shocked – says Mario Becciu – because he did not expect such a harsh sentence. He was astonished and in disbelief."

Then Mario Becciu explains that the decision taken three years ago by Pope Francis, which deprived Monsignor Becciu of the office of prefect for the Causes of Saints and of the prerogatives of the cardinalate, «some commentators had defined it as a preventive condemnation, for which the Court found himself having to confirm or disavow a decision already made. But I still believe in the honesty of judges. We have a second level of judgement: we hope that innocence will finally be proclaimed there."

Have the merchants entered the temple? "It's very stupid," says Mario Becciu. Adding: «It's a phrase that has an impact on the media. My brother merely continued the practice that had been in force for decades within the Secretariat of State. He followed the instructions given by the Secretary of State, who at the time was Cardinal Bertone, and the administrative experts."

When asked about the fact that the cardinal was accused of favoring his family, Mario Becciu replies that «even the prosecution in the end had to say that no euro circulated between the brothers. We became a target only because there was a symbol behind us. A cardinal."

On his involvement at the beginning of the trial Mario Becciu commented: «None of us are safe. It is not enough to be honest people to be considered as such."

(Unioneonline/lf)

© Riproduzione riservata