VATICAN CITY — The Vatican Bank, formally known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), has dismissed two employees after their recent wedding violated a newly instituted rule banning marriages between staff members.
The bank announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, October 3, 2024, explaining that it had been forced to make the “difficult decision” to fire the couple to uphold its internal regulations.
“The formation of a married couple among the employees is in fact blatantly contradictory to the current regulations,” the statement read.
“This decision, taken with deep regret, was dictated by the need to preserve transparency and impartiality in the Institute’s activities, and in no way intended to question the right of two people to be united in marriage.”
The IOR’s policy, introduced in May, aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest within the tight-knit institution, which employs approximately 100 staff members who all work at the same location.
Legal Challenge to the Dismissal
Laura Sgro, the lawyer representing the dismissed couple, who have not been publicly named, criticized the decision as “null, illegitimate, and seriously detrimental to the fundamental rights of individuals and workers.”
She contended that the couple had notified the bank of their intention to marry in February, months before the rule came into effect.
According to Sgro, the couple, who have three children, received notice of their termination on October 1. She said she had formally contested the decision and is advocating for their reinstatement.
In addition, Sgro revealed that the couple had requested an exemption from the rule directly from Pope Francis and IOR Director Gian Franco Mammi.
However, they received no response from either the Pope or the director.
Vatican’s Push for Financial Reform
The dismissal comes amid Pope Francis’ ongoing efforts to reform the Vatican’s financial practices and promote transparency.
The IOR has long been at the center of financial controversies, prompting the pope to establish an expert committee in 2013 to address issues of corruption and ensure better oversight of the Vatican’s finances.
High-profile convictions have resulted from these reforms.
In January 2021, Angelo Caloia, a former head of the Vatican Bank, was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for money laundering and embezzlement.
Most recently, in December, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu was sentenced to five and a half years for embezzlement, becoming the first cardinal to be convicted by a Vatican court. Becciu, who has denied the charges, is currently appealing his conviction.
Implications for the Vatican Bank
The recent firing underscores the Vatican Bank’s commitment to tightening its internal controls in the wake of its past financial scandals.
By enforcing strict rules, including the ban on marriages among employees, the IOR aims to prevent any potential conflicts that could compromise its integrity.
However, the case has also raised questions about the balance between enforcing institutional rules and protecting workers’ rights.
With the legal challenge now underway, the Vatican Bank’s policy will likely face increased scrutiny as the couple seeks justice.
As the legal process unfolds, the Vatican’s efforts to maintain financial accountability while navigating personnel issues will continue to be closely watched.
