The suicide of Mario Cal, vice-president of Milan’s San Raffaele hospital was tragic enough. But all indications are that his death will be a sign of trouble to come for the Vatican.
The hospital, which has links to the Vatican, and whose founder is the priest, Don Luigi Verzè, has a shortfall of €1.5bn.
Though the San Raffaele is highly regarded for its medical care and research its administration seems to have suffered from extravagant spending and bad investments.
Mr Cal’s stress as administrator of a hospital on the verge of collapse no doubt brought about his despairing act.
Milan’s chief prosecutor, Edmonodo Bruti Leberati announced last week that the hospital was under investigation for fraudulent bankruptcy.
Last month, the Vatican proposed a €250m rescue package, but the authorities were cool on the offer which means that the Holy See has until October 10 before the insititution is declared bankrupt two days later.
Many questions remain as to how the hospital was allowed to build up such huge debts, and the actual circumstances around Mr Cal’s death, such as who moved his gun away from his body.
Mr Liberati’s “preliminary analysis” has revealed “evidence of criminality” in the hospital’s accounts. Besides this controversy, commentators are also surprised by the determination shown by the Vatican to save San Raffaele.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict’s Secretary of State, joined Don Verzè in an attempt to save the hospital by perhaps merging the San Raffele with other hospitals.
The reason for the Vatican’s interest may be about saving jobs, but some observers feel that there are other motives. James Walston, a professor at the American University of Rome suggests that medical care is profitable, as “nuns do much of the work…and the church doesn’t pay tax”.
However, for Mr D’Arcais the Vatican’s interest revolves around the exercise of power. “You have to understand the Vatican is not just about religion,” he says. “It seeks to have greater power and influence, and what could be more important than having a pivotal influence on education, medical care and bioethics?”
According to commentator, should the Vatican have budgetary control, it would be able to deter activities such as embryonic stem cell research that it considers immoral.
Full Story: Belfast Telegraph
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