Pope’s Butler Alleges Mistreatment during Rare Vatican Trial

By Garry O’Sullivan
Irish Catholic
October 2, 2012

http://www.irishcatholic.ie/content/pope%E2%80%99s-butler-alleges-mistreatment-during-rare-vatican-trial

When the Pope’s butler Paolo Gabriele was thrown into a Vatican prison cell after he was discovered in possession of stolen documents from the Pope’s desk, few could have guessed that as well as the medieval architecture of his Vatican prison, the treatment would also be medieval and, if true, in contravention of human rights standards accepted around the world. Paolo Gabriele, alleged in court Tuesday that his cell was so small he couldn’t spread his arms. Also, the lights were left on 24 hours-a-day for his 20 day imprisonment in his first cell. The head of the Vatican police who was present in court looked decidedly embarrassed by the allegations of mistreatment.

Mr Gabriele also said that he didn’t have a pillow and these allegations have resulted in the Chief Prosecutor of the Vatican launching an investigation.

And this is only day two of a trial that is beginning to have all the hallmarks of a Da Vinci Code type saga.

Also present on Tuesday was Msgr Georg Gaenswein, the Pope’s private secretary, who greeted several people when he entered but not Mr Gabriele, yet Mr Gabriele stood up for the Pope’s secretary, testimony to the respect for the clerical caste inside the Vatican. He didn’t stand up for one of the female witnesses when she entered. Msgr Gaenswein, who looked uncomfortable during the questioning spoke of the trust he had in Mr Gabriele and how he never doubted him at which point the butler cast his eyes down.

The trial is being held inside the Vatican in a small office block and only a small number of people can fit into the room. There are three judges but with no microphones and the sound of traffic it is difficult to hear every word that is spoken as witnesses and observers come and go in and out of the courtroom. The office is home to the Vatican Tribunal founded in 1929 with the coat of arms of Pope Pius XI hanging in the courtroom with a large crucifix over the judges’ heads. Witnesses were marched in, sworn and then marched out to be recalled as needed one by one.

This is definitely not like Law and Order. Questions are put to the witness or accused through the Judge but the Judge does not repeat the question and the witness or accused answers. The big question on Tuesday was, did Mr Gabriele act alone? Yes came the answer. What we weren’t expecting was Mr Gabriele’s allegation that he photocopied everything he leaked so he had a record of his leaks because so many others were leaking as well.

What everyone wanted to hear however was why did he do it. Originally Mr Gabriele had cited spiritual reasons for his action but there was no mention of ‘the Holy Spirit made me do it’ excuse which Mr Gabriele had used in his indictment.

In fact, motivation was in short supply. However he did describe a disgruntled environment that has existed ever since the deputy secretary of state in the Vatican, who became famous for cleaning up corruption in the Vatican, was transferred to the US as nuncio, essentially sacked and packed off. Many like Mr Gabriele couldn’t understand how a good man who cleaned up corruption in the Vatican could be treated so badly under a pontificate that promised to reform the Vatican and offer transparency. Mr Gabriele obviously doesn’t put the blame for this at the feet of the Pope but says that the Pope isn’t aware of some of the things being done in his name. He described a filial relationship with the Holy Father – “I loved him, like a son” he told the court. He declared himself innocent of the charge of aggravated theft – which carries a four year jail sentence if he is convicted – but he did express his sorry and guilt for betraying the trust of the Pope.

While journalists observing the trial remain reticent about how much transparency will be shown – a cardinal’s report in the affair was not admitted into evidence – the truth is that it looks like justice is being done. The next few days will determine the truth of this.