Vatican City, Sep 17, 2012 / 11:19 am
The two men charged in the "Vatileaks" case will go to trial Sept. 29, according to a communique released Sept. 17 by the Vatican Press Office.
Paolo Gabriele, the Pope's former butler, was charged with theft, having been suspected of leaking confidential papal and curial documents to the press. Claudio Sciarpelleti, a computer technician at the Secretariat of State, was charged with aiding and abetting Gabriele, a lesser charge.
Sciarpelleti is suspended but is still an employee at the Vatican's Secretariat of State Department.
Gabriele could face six years in jail if he is found guilty.
On Aug. 13 Judge Piero A. Bonnet sent the pair for trial. The two will be tried jointly by a three-judge panel.
The Vatileaks scandal broke in May 2012, and involved numerous documents about the internal workings of the Vatican being leaked to Italian news outlets for a period of months.
In May, journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi released a new book entitled "Sua Santita" (His Holiness), which contained a series of leaked letters addressed personally to Pope Benedict. Nuzzi claimed to have multiple sources within the Vatican.
The leaks were investigated by a commission of three cardinals led by Cardinal Julian Herranz of Spain.
Cardinal Herranz told CNA on May 24 that the leaks were "confusing souls and also giving the Church and the Holy See a completely unfair image."
Gabriele, 46, was arrested May 25 after confidential Vatican documents were found in his apartment. He has worked in the Papal Household under both John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and had daily access to the pontiff.
Gabriele initially denied involvement in the leaks.
According to the Aug. 13 report issued by Judge Bonnet, Gabriele intended to help the Pope understand the problems of corruption within the Church. He thought that a "media shock" would put the Church "back onto the right track."
Vatican officials have continued to investigate the case.
The two have been notified of the trial date decree, which was issued by Giuseppe della Torre, president of the Tribunal of the Vatican City State.
The first hearing will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 29 in the audience hall of the Tribunal.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA