In that desire for accountability, he is now addressing concerns regarding the Kamalen Karidat (KK) ministries which have been raised by Concerned Catholics of Guam (CCOG).

Established in 1993, KK helps provide food and clothing to the poor and operates a soup kitchen in Agaña.

CCOG had asked Byrnes to shut down the KK programme, citing alleged mismanagement, a lack of accountability and proper documentation.

CCOG President David Sablan told the media that CCOG believes funds were used for personal and other purposes by Archbishop Anthony Apuron, not at all related to KK's mission of helping the poor.

Byrnes said he appreciated the diligence and concern of the CCOG which communicated its concerns in a formal letter to him last October.

He has instructed the legal counsel of KK to give notice of a board meeting to address these matters.

In the meantime, the services to the poor and homeless will continue but the ministries will be removed from KK and operate under the direct control of the Archdiocese.

Father Mike Crisostomo was appointed to lead KK last May.

Byrne gave an assurance that since his appointment Crisostomo has ensured that KK has practised full diligence and compliance in managing its finances, including properly documenting all contributions.

Source

• Umatuna
• Pacific Daily News
• Pacific New Centre
• Image: Pacific Daily News

Murray Watkinson, a former carpet layer who sold his carpet business in Wellington in 1975 after "encountering God in a supernatural way", began the Celebration Centre church in 1990 in Aranui with about 80 followers. Read more

They also must ensure the promotion of good governance "as we continue to provide vital basic services to our people in PNG."

Chairman of PNG Christian Leaders Alliance on HIV and AIDS, Cardinal Sir John Ribat made these comments when he presented the acquittal of K300,000 to the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) community benefit fund this week.

"NGCB supported the first HIV Summit for Heads of Churches with K300,000, and as our commitment we are honouring it by documenting our acquittals report and presenting it back to our sponsor," he said.

An acquittal report is a financial report which includes an income and expense statement to show how a grant has been used.

The HIV Summit was launched in Port Moresby in March.

More than 20 heads of churches took part.

Ribat said at the time one of the great intentions for the HIV summit was to bring the heads of churches together so they could speak about the virus, which is a public health issue in Papua New Guinea.

He said the summit was the first of its kind and is critical for the PNG church leaders, as it would help them to strategise more proactively towards addressing sensitive issues relating to the spread of HIV.

The leaders will be able to "... further discuss HIV and other cross-cutting agendas, learn from the current HIV situation, identify existing gaps in the response and how we as a collective voice can address these issues within our networks," he said.

Source

• Asia Pacific Report
• Post Courier
• Sunday Chronicle
• Image: The National

A month ago, however, I finally got one right.

On June 22, previewing an evaluation of the Vatican's financial transparency by Moneyval, the Council of Europe's anti-money laundering body, I wrote: "The report is probably destined to trigger confusing and conflicting headlines about how well the Vatican did." Read more

Sources

• John L Allen Jr in National Catholic Reporter
• Image: Nicolls And Dimes

John L Allen Jr is NCR senior correspondent.

The audit by Moneyval, a department of the Council of Europe, followed a request by the Holy See last year for an evaluation of its financial control systems and safeguards against criminal activity.

While the Holy See passed 9 of the 16 key tests — putting it in the same league as countries that have been working for years on their financial transparency — the inspectors called for improvement in several areas.

The financial transparency audit was most critical of the Vatican's new financial oversight agency, the Financial Information Authority.

The inspectors said it does not appear to have the authority and resources necessary to maintain adequate oversight of the Vatican's financial activities.

The report also recommended more professional oversight of the Vatican bank, the Institute for Religious Works. The inspectors "strongly recommended" that it should be independently supervised and should make rules about who is actually eligible to keep accounts there.

On the positive side, the report said the Holy See "has come a long way in a short period of time" and that many of the "building blocks" to combat money laundering are in place, even though more has to be done.

Responding to the report, the Holy See's Undersecretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Ettore Ballestero, said the Holy See and Vatican City had been found to be "largely compliant with international standards".

He said the Holy See had laid the foundations for "a robust and sustainable system to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Now it is our wish to fully construct a building that effectively shows the Holy See's and Vatican City State's desire to be a reliable partner in the international community."

Sources:

Vatican Radio

Associated Press

Reuters

Image: Political World