Italy: The Great Vatican Bank Mystery

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But there may be more to the decision than that. Some Vatican officials are concerned that Marcinkus, his subordinates Mennini and De Strobel, or all three, might be indicted. There is concern in the Holy See that they could be arrested if they should so much as step outside the Vatican, thus setting the stage for a legal battle between the church and civil authorities. The ultimate decision about Marcinkus' fate rests with the man in whose name one of the inquiries is being conducted: Pope John Paul. The Holy Father may choose not to do anything until the Holy See's own investigation is completed. Even then the lesson of Paul Marcinkus may prove to be nothing more than what well-intentioned clerics have been learning for centuries: trying to serve both God and mammon can be a difficult task indeed. —By Peter Staler. Reported by Jonathan Beaty/New York and Barry Kalb/Rome with other bureaus