Cardinal Becciu's Letter of Solidarity Amid Financial Scandal

"When one is innocent, it is a duty - not just a right - to testify the truth, without any form of tactics." Cardinal Angelo Becciu breaks the silence to send a letter of solidarity to the bishop of Ozieri, Monsignor Corrado Melis, accused by the Sassari Prosecutor's Office along with his brother Antonino Becciu of embezzlement and money laundering for having directed funds from the eight per thousand (allocated to the diocese of Ozieri) into the current accounts of the Spes cooperative, which is managed by Becciu's brother, Antonino. The Prosecutor's Office documents speak of a total sum of over 2 million euros that arrived at Spes' disposal in the time frame between January 2013 and February 2023. "Dear Excellency, dear Don Corrado, the news disseminated these days has saddened and stunned me more than I could have imagined. These are moments of confusion and also of rebellion against those who formalize accusations that we know in the depths of our hearts to be untrue." The cardinal in the lengthy text explains that despite "someone advised me not to write to you so as not to compromise my situation as a convict" he refuses to remain silent. "An advice I cannot accept. Indeed, having been unjustly convicted makes me freer to express myself. No conviction can prevent me from being a Christian, from speaking freely, and from raising my voice to express solidarity with those who suffer. "From experience," the letter continues, "I know how much good the closeness and solidarity of brothers in faith do to the soul! Your suffering is mine, it is of the priests, the consecrated women, the faithful of the diocese, and of all the people who know you. Those who know you are well aware of the dedication with which you live your pastoral commitment, giving priority to the last and the marginalized not only in your heart but also in your daily deeds." Becciu then talks about the upright example that Melis has given to the Church, the faithful, and Pope Francis over the years. "I am certain that even in this difficult moment you will be an example in facing head-on the trial that you are given to live. The Sardinian cardinal then recalls that "Holy Week is approaching, days in which we will contemplate Him who with dignity, with love faced the worst humiliations that a human being could suffer. It will be an example and strength for you, as it has always been in these years for me and for all those who are tried by the sufferings and injustices of life. Easter itself reminds us that the story of every man does not end on Good Friday but in the splendor of the Truth! I pray for you and for your collaborators involved in the judicial case."