The Intriguing Testimony of Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra at the British High Court

Recently, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, found himself in the spotlight at the British High Court in London. The focus of the civil case brought by financier Raffaele Mincione shed light on the complex financial relations with broker Gianluigi Torzi and the efforts to resolve the issues surrounding the Sloane Avenue property.

Written by: Salvatore Cernuzio, London

During the two-and-a-half-hour interrogation, Archbishop Peña Parra shared details of his involvement with Torzi and the Secretariat of State in the sale of the London building. The Archbishop spoke of feeling “trapped” and “forced” to comply with Torzi’s demands, which ultimately led to the payment of significant sums to relinquish control of the property to the Holy See.

The Courtroom Drama

The courtroom in London buzzed with tension as Archbishop Peña Parra narrated the events surrounding the Sloane Avenue affair that began in 2018. The hearing, held on 4 July, delved deep into the intricate web of financial transactions and power struggles that ensued in the following years.

The ongoing civil trial, initiated by Raffaele Mincione, focused primarily on the interactions with Gianluigi Torzi. Torzi’s lawyer, Charles Samek, grilled Archbishop Peña Parra on his dealings with the broker, pointing out discrepancies in his testimony and questioning the transparency of the transactions.

The Memo Controversy

Amidst the intense interrogation, the mention of a ‘memo’ filed by the Archbishop added a new layer of complexity to the proceedings. The memo, reportedly requested by the Pope, aimed to shed light on the intricate deal involving high financial stakes. Samek probed the Archbishop on the contents of the memo and its purpose in informing the Holy Father about the London sale.

The Shocking Revelations

The interrogation took a dramatic turn when Samek highlighted the existence of false invoices sent to Torzi, indicating a murky trail of deceit. The Archbishop defended his actions, citing the necessity to settle the contractual obligations, albeit through questionable means. Archbishop Peña Parra’s responses underscored the sense of being “trapped” in a situation fraught with lies and deception.

Looking Ahead

As the court proceedings continue, the testimony of Archbishop Peña Parra promises to unveil more layers of intrigue and reveal the true extent of the financial dealings that entangled the Vatican in a web of controversy.