As the Italian daily newspaper "Il Messaggero" reported on Wednesday, salaries are to be cut by several hundred euros according to a letter from the head of the Vatican's Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Maximino Caballero.
During the ongoing economic reforms, this is a necessary sign of willingness to serve, it says. The need to make a contribution has therefore been recognised, starting with those who hold top positions in the Vatican.
According to the report, the salary of cardinals working in the dicasteries - around thirty in number - is no more than 5,000 euros, including bonuses and additional benefits. The announced cuts are therefore likely to amount to a few hundred euros. This is a symbolic sacrifice that the Pope hopes will be accepted in a "spirit of co-operation for the good of the Church".
Last week, the Pontiff announced in a letter to the members of the College of Cardinals that the review of expenditure already initiated should be reinforced by further measures. He also encouraged every head of the dicastery to organise the structures as efficiently as possible and to try to burden the coffers as little as possible. The search for sponsors and external support through transparent and efficient fundraising were mentioned as possible ideas.
Predecessor expressed concern
The financial situation is anything but stable, the head of the church already emphasised in an appeal for savings at the end of September. This stated that the financial means to fulfil the mission were limited, which is why they had to be handled strictly and seriously.
According to the head of the church, further efforts are also needed from everyone to ensure that the zero deficit is not just a theoretical ideal, but a real, achievable goal. He called on the cardinals to set a good example.
Two years ago, the predecessor of the current Secretary for the Economy, Guerrero Alves, had already expressed his concern about the unsustainability of the current economic system.
According to Alves, bold decisions were needed to restore balance. In the last budget, the Vatican's deficit totalled around 83 million euros. With over 2,000 employees in both the Vatican and the Roman Curia, personnel costs are by far the largest expenditure item.
Donations from all over the world as well as income from rentals, entrance fees, capital investments and profits from the Vatican Bank have not been sufficient to balance out expenditure for some years now.