The Vatican has demanded that “l’Union catholique internationale de
la presse” (UCIP) strike the adjective “Catholic” from its name.
The
beleaguered general secretary of the union, Joseph Chittilappilly,
wishes to engage the competent authorities in conversation, he stated to
press agency Kipa on Thursday.
The president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Cardinal
Stanislaw Rylko, addressed the UCIP in a letter dated March 23rd which Kipa
has seen.
The Pontifical Council for the Laity has responsibility over
the UCIP and for some time has called for a change in the leadership of
the union.
In Chittilappilly’s view, the letter from the Vatican does not change
anything for the time being.
The communication gives one view of the
matter. A response is in preparation and will be addressed also to other
Vatican authorities. There is “false information” in the cardinal’s
letter.
Cardinal Rylko expressed his bewilderment that Bernhard Sassmann,
president of the UCIP, delegated his office of leadership to the general
secretary.
Furthermore, the UCIP had declined to discuss the issues
which the clergyman advisor of the UCIP, Italian Franco Mazza, wished to
raise at the last world congress in Ouagadougou.
At that time Mazza
stated to Kipa that one point important to the Vatican was not
included in the minutes of the assembly – namely, the discussion on the
role of the general secretary, the only paid member of the executive
committee.
Nontransparent finances and do-nothings who won’t leave
The Vatican objected to the planned moving of the UCIP offices from
Geneva and to the role of the general secretary within the organization.
The Vatican wishes to examine his assigned duties.
There is criticism
also with respect to personnel, salaries, and term lengths.
Further, the
cardinal seeks further information on why members whose membership dues
were allegedly in arrears were excluded from the world congress in
Ouagadougou.
The Vatican complained further that the finances are not administered
by the treasurer, but by the general secretary.
In his letter of March
23rd, Cardinal Rylko wrote that there is lack of transparency in the
finances.
The union is seemingly “completely in the hands of the general
secretary.”
The “facts” show that he is attempting to save his job.
The UCIP, which is open to Catholic journalists, publishers, and
communications experts, was founded in 1927 and recognized by the
Vatican.
The organization has its headquarters in Geneva.