by Daoud Kuttab

In unprecedented statements on the eve of his ordination as a member of the most important body of the Catholic Church, His Beatitude Patriarch Pierre Battista Pizzaballa said that the previous problems in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem had been resolved and that “anyone can come and look at all our accounts. Everything is completely transparent now.”

The Patriarch of Jerusalem speaking in Rome said it took a long time, but the church “solved all the financial problems.” We have paid all our obligations and that is all.” It is known that the Patriarchate had declared debts amounting to one hundred million dollars as a result of mishandling of funds at the American University in Madaba, which forced the Latin Patriarchate to sell land to the church in the Nazareth area.

The Patriarch said in his meeting with reporters, “Naturally, we have introduced into our administration all the necessary rules for separating duties, complete transparency, and internal and external auditing.” Everything is under control now. “It took a long time, of course, because it was not simple.”

In what some considered a criticism of Eastern societies, the Italian Patriarch said: “It is not just a matter of rules, but also a matter of mentalities that must be introduced into our internal dynamic.”

Pizzaballa reiterated his acknowledgment of the existence of problems in the previous period in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (without disclosing them). “This is essential. I must say that, unfortunately, the scandals we were exposed to in the past gave us a lesson to learn, and perhaps it was necessary to provide something that we were not able to provide in the past.”

In response to another question about the case filed by the American businessman of Jordanian origin, Benjamin Seryani, for compensation amounting to $31 million for the Patriarchate’s breaking of long-term contracts, the top Catholic official in Jerusalem said, “Yes, there is a case in court.” We are waiting for the response, and whatever it is, we will respect it.”