Performance money was taken for personal spending
The Vatican confirmed that it is currently investigating the members of the Sistine Chapel Choir.[/tweetit] In the official statement, the Holy See's press office said that investigators are combing through the accounts of Michelangelo Nardella, the manager of the choir, and Monsignor Massimo Palombella, the choir's director. Nardella is a layman. Palombella is a man who has taken his vows.
Sistine Chapel Choir Leaders Under Investigation by Vatican for Fraud[/tweetthis]
According to the Vatican, money made from concerts and other endeavors were quietly siphoned off to an unrelated bank account in Italy. Only Palombella and Nardella could access this specific account. The two used the money for personal expenditure.
A source inside the Vatican said at present another investigation other than the embezzlement case is underway. The second investigation, conducted by an apostolic visitor, began after a number of parents complained about Palombella. They alleged that the director of the choir spoke harshly to the members of the choir. The statement issued by the Vatican press office made no mention of the second internal investigation.
For the Vatican, it was forced to make public its internal troubles after an Italian newspaper reported the choir's irregular financial dealings. In the statement, the Holy See emphasized the fact that this investigation was authorized by Pope Francis himself. The Vatican magistrates are conducting the investigation. It was not a new investigation; the statement did not forget to mention it was ongoing for a few months now. The media tried to contact Nardella and Palombella. Neither were available to comment.
No high notes here – Sistine Chapel Choir under financial investigation: Vatican https://t.co/lByGpzsNfz pic.twitter.com/TqhoyRL7aN
— Philip Pullella (@PhilipPullella) September 13, 2018
The Sistine Chapel Choir is a world-famous institution in its own right. The choir is composed of men and supported by young boys and is signed to a prominent music label. In 2017, the choir performed at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art the piece titled, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. A few months later, the chapel's planned American tour was canceled. No official explanations were offered as a reason for this cancellation. The choir is made up of a total of 20 men and about 30 boys. The Sistine Chapel Choir is one of the worlds oldest oldest choirs. It was founded in 1471 with its roots going back to 600 A.D. when Pope Saint Gregory the Great founded the Schola Cantorum.