Fraud Indicted bishop: – Pray also for me – TV 2

Fraud Indicted bishop: – Pray also for me – TV 2

Roman Catholic Diocese of Oslo is charged with aggravated fraud of 50 million. Police believe the Catholic Church has trick with membership lists to receive state aid.

Also, Bishop Bernt Eidsvig and diocesan finance manager has been charged in the case. In a message to the faithful in the Catholic church website says Eidsvig that the case is a big burden.

– This makes me evil

“Police have today conducted the questioning of several people associated with Roman Catholic Diocese of Oslo, including myself. I want to assure you that we do everything in our power to cooperate with the investigation.

This case is a great burden for diocesan administration and myself – but not least you believers, now charged with something you do not have responsibility. This makes me evil. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time “, writes the bishop, and ends with the following words:

” Pray also for me. “

Refuse to have done something wrong

Economy Chief attorney Anne Christine Stoltz enlightened TV2 earlier Thursday that her client did not acknowledge guilt. In his opinion, the church has not committed a criminal offense.

Bishop Eidsvig expresses the same thing in a statement. The Catholic Church has never had the intention to register some against their will or to receive support for non-Catholics, said the press release.

– We are in the final stages of a thorough cleanup work to ensure that our member records are correct, in line with the county governor orders. We are positive that the police put large resources in this matter so that a clarification hopefully can come quickly, writes Eidsvig.

Extensive raid

Oslo police conducted a raid Thursday against Oslo Catholic Diocesan offices. The charges applicable gross fraud of 50 million in the form of one has introduced members of membership register without themselves that they were aware of it and applied for state aid on the basis of it.

– This is a serious charge. There is a huge amount. And there is talk misappropriate of community assets, said police prosecutor Kristin Rusdal Oslo police.

Pater Paul Bratbak reads a greeting from Bishop Eidsvig: