Archbishop Charles Scicluna does not want to answer questions regarding revelations by The Shift that the Apap Institute in Santa Venera – a home for the elderly since 1944 – has been leased to a Saudi businessman who recently acquired a Maltese passport.
Questions sent to the Curia remained unanswered despite repeated reminders, as the Curia chose to keep the deal shrouded in secrecy.
Curia sources told The Shift that the Archbishop, who was kept informed of the full details of the multi-million-euro deal, has instructed his staff not to respond to any media questions, as this was a private Church matter. He has also issued directives to the media office to ignore questions from the press.
Unconfirmed reports reaching The Shift indicate that the Saudi millionaire intends to turn the large building into an educational facility. It remains unclear what type of educational facility will be established.
The same reports said the Church was introduced to the Saudi investor through an agent close to the government, who sold him a Maltese passport.
The Shift revealed that just a few weeks ago, the Curia, which owns the institute, signed a lease contract with the Saudi passport buyer, who will be paying close to €1 million in annual rent.
It is unclear whether the Curia conducted thorough due diligence on the businessman fronting the contract and any possible local associates.
Questions were raised in the Curia’s corridors by senior clergymen since the Church was not expected to lease a building associated closely with the Catholic faith to a Muslim businessman.
So far, the Church, as directed by Archbishop Scicluna, has remained silent.
The Curia did not issue an expression of interest for leasing the Apap Institute. Instead, it chose a deal with the Saudi passport buyer. This has irked Maltese entrepreneurs who say they may have been interested in acquiring the property.
The prominent building in Santa Venera had been managed by the Dominican Sisters since 1944 as a residential care home for the elderly.
Yet, at the end of last year, the Curia made a sudden announcement that the Institute would be closed, citing a lack of nuns, vocations, and high running and restoration costs as the main reasons.
The Church’s decision was met with anger at the time by several families and relatives of the elderly residents, who were transferred to other homes so that the Curia could repossess the building.
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On the face of it, it’s unbelievable but will wait for the CURIA’s response.
Bobby, you can wait for ever!
Still waiting.
Still waiting Bobby?
It is said that the terms of the contract to the Church by the Apap family , could actually illegalise such a contract. Maybe Shift News can investigate , by researching the contracts and wills of the APAP family.
My understanding is that it was endowed specifically as a “Home for virtuous spinsters”. After Spiru Cauchi Imbroll passed away childless a year and a half ago, there seems to have been sudden movement to do something else with it. In case of not following the terms of the endowment, it should rightly revert to his heirs who I believe to be the Moran family.
In fact. As a relative of the donors i would encourage this very same approach. Even more so if the building is to be used for any religious or commercial purpose. At times the holier than thou archbishop seems to be of a similar ilk to the government and instead of setting the bar high and leading by example, he stoops to its level. First Hsbc, now the apap institute. Something is rotten in the state of …. Malta.
If it’s the case then it should be challenged in court not in the media. The church of course needs money to ope rate
Nothing wrong with the Church leasing out property that is not required for pastoral requirements.
But no, no property deal by the church is a private matter. Rather it is a matter of public interest. It is required that the church always show maximum openness to accountability and transparency. If not, it is not good governance per se, and additionally It justifies so much similar government behaviour. So, always provided that there is no denial by the archdiocese, your excellency, such secretive attitude is not acceptable.
Excellent remark.
The church isn’t a public entity because it is not financed from public funds
No denial and no explanation yet. The public does not count
This has irked Maltese entrepreneurs who say they may have been interested in acquiring the property…..did they now!
Church attendance is falling and so is the volume of money collected during church services. As a good businessman, Scicluna has chosen the most profitable option. And to hell with Malta Cattolicissima!
For those who have not yet managed to peer behind His Excellency’s mask, that time is acoming.
The Church should lead by example, no? Otherwise, why preach?
Do we have faith in archbishop C Sicluna or not.
Why? Isn’t it obvious? The church is no different than any other government or private entity. Money comes first and anyone who believes differently is a fool.
The Chuch spends so much on its obligations – priests’ salaries, upkeep and running costs of homes etc that as a fact of life it needs (more and more) funds. Now if you were willing to take on some (or indeed, many) of the financial obligations, then maybe we can talk.
What irrational crap!
Due Diligence ?? More like a shifty back hander in the Church coffers, which are not subject to VAT/TAX and accountability. Just because Malta is a devout country of church goers, does not give the Church the right to avoid legal rules and protocols.