Catholic Ceos’ Group Legatus Withholds Vatican Tithe, Cites ‘recent Revelations’

By Lianne Laurence
LifeSiteNews
September 6, 2018

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-catholic-ceos-group-legatus-withholds-vatican-tithe-cites-recent-r

The highly influential Catholic business association Legatus has put its annual Vatican tithe “in escrow,” citing the current crisis in the Church.

The amount withheld is $820,000, according to a Legatus spokesperson. The association has donated $18 million to the Holy See in the 31 years it has been existence, she told LifeSiteNews.

A September 6 letter (full letter below) from Legatus CEO and founder Tom Monaghan states the Legatus board took the step “in light of recent revelations and questions.”

“We have also had discussions regarding our (Legatus’) annual tithe to the Holy See, specifically pertaining to how it is being used, and what financial accountability exists within the Vatican for such charitable contributions.? The Board has begun a dialogue along these lines, and in the meantime has decided to place the Holy See annual tithe in escrow, pending further determination (by the Board),” Monaghan stated.

“We certainly pledge our continued devotion to Holy Mother Church, and recognize the tithe has been an important commitment of Legatus since our founding."

"However, in light of recent revelations and questions, we believe it appropriate to respectfully request clarification regarding the specific use of these funds,” he added.

Last month Archbishop Vigano, former apostolic nuncio to the U.S., accused Pope Francis in an August 22, 2018 detailed testimony of covering up for now ex-Cardinal McCarrick despite knowing of McCarrick’s serial sexual abuse of seminarians and priests.

When a reporter asked Pope Francis if there was any truth to the allegation, the Pope said that he wouldn’t comment.

“I am not going to say a word about this,” Pope Francis said.

Legatus, described as “the most influential lay organization in the Church” by the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, exists to integrate faith, family and business in its members’ lives, and upholds Church teaching as part of its mission.

According to Legatus spokesperson, a Legatus member must be a practicing Catholic and an owner, chairman, president or CEO of a business with a minimum of $7 million annual revenue and at least 49 employees, or, for a financial service company, with at least 10 employees and $275 million in assets under management. The association was founded in 1987 and has 3,000 current members.