Cardinal Crescenzo Sepe, Archbishop of Naples, is to be investigated over his alleged part in a corrupt property deal. The Cardinal was, until 2006, head of the Vatican’s Department for Foreign Missions and in that capacity he would have had had access to a great deal of money and an impressive property portfolio.
Sepe is accused of having colluded with former transport Minister Pietro Lunardi in several property deals and it is alleged that in 2004 Lunardi purchased a property from Sepe’s department at a price which was well below its then market value.
The Cardinal will cooperate with the investigation although he has a Vatican City passport which guarantees him diplomatic immunity. He says that he is serene as he is sure that the truth will emerge.
Citizens of Naples gathered to support their Cardinal on Sunday.
