The Archdiocese of Barcelona has intervened in the diocesan foundations Valldejuli, Sant Josep Oriol and Mare de Déu dels Desemparats and has appointed two new joint administrators to ensure their proper administration, after an external audit detected alleged fraudulent sales at below-market prices of foundational assets, as well as other irregularities in the management of the Valldejuli Foundation.
As a result of the investigation, the director and the administrator of the Valldejuli Foundation have submitted their resignations; they also held positions of responsibility in the other two affected entities.
Director and administrator of the Valldejuli Foundation resign
Although the statement from the Archdiocese does not identify the officials who have resigned, the composition of the governing bodies of the Valldejuli Foundation makes it clear that the director of the entity was the priest Saturnino «Nino» Rodríguez, archpriest of the Archdiocese of Barcelona, while the administrator was the permanent deacon Rubén García.
Both also held management positions in the Sant Josep Oriol and Mare de Déu dels Desemparats foundations, where they have likewise submitted their resignations.
An external audit uncovered the alleged irregularities
According to the Archdiocese of Barcelona, the intervention in the Valldejuli Foundation follows the detection of alleged fraudulent sales at below-market prices of foundational assets, as well as other irregularities in the management of the entity. These facts came to light as a result of an investigation commissioned by the Archdiocese itself from an external auditor.
The investigations carried out so far also suggest that the Sant Josep Oriol and Mare de Déu dels Desemparats foundations may have been subject to alleged irregular administration, which is why extraordinary measures have also been adopted to ensure their proper management.
Three foundations with important social work
The three entities carry out significant social work in the Archdiocese of Barcelona. The Valldejuli Foundation and the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats Foundation manage residences for the elderly, while the Sant Josep Oriol Foundation administers the Sant Josep Oriol priestly residence, where retired priests from the dioceses of Barcelona, Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Terrassa reside.
With the appointment of new joint administrators, the Archdiocese aims to preserve the assets of the foundations and ensure the continuity of the care they provide to their residents.
The investigation remains open
The Archdiocese of Barcelona has stated that the investigations continue with the aim of fully clarifying the facts and determining the scope of the alleged irregularities detected.
The Archdiocese assures that it will continue to analyze all actions related to these foundations in order to have complete information on what happened and to adopt the necessary measures.