In the wake of the recent MONEYVAL report, the Holy See has issued a new statement expressing commitment to continue responding to the report's recommendations and "ever more efficaciously pursue transparency and financial trustworthiness, thus contributing more effectively to the fight against money laundering.

According to Holy See Press Office Director Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, speaking on Vatican Radio today, one powerful sign of commitment to work in this direction is that the Holy See has hired an international expert in Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) activities.

Rene Bruelhart, 40, a lawyer originally from Fribourg, Switzerland, spent eight years as the director of Liechtenstein's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and is an expert in AML/CFT. As director of Liechtenstein's FIU, he was also appointed in 2010 as the vice-chair of the Egmont Group, the global network of FIUs.

Bruelhart began work this month as a consultant to the Holy See in all matters related to AML/CFT. His role is to assist the Holy See in strengthening its framework to fight financial crimes. This is based on the clear commitment the Holy See has already expressed in its active efforts to address these matters effectively.

Source: VIS