Vatican Bank Fires Employees Over Marriage Rule
In a surprising move, the Vatican bank has dismissed two employees following their recent marriage, citing a new workplace regulation. The bank, formally known as the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), confirmed on Wednesday that the couple was terminated after they refused to resign voluntarily. This decision has ignited legal challenges, as their lawyer, Laura Sgro, is prepared to take the case to the Vatican civil court within 30 days.
The couple, who have three children, met while working in different departments at the IOR. According to their attorney, they had informed their employer about their wedding plans as early as February. However, a new rule was introduced in May that bans workplace marriages, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the bank, which employs only around 100 people. This new regulation has been framed as a measure to maintain impartiality and avoid accusations of “familism”—the favouring of family members within an organisation.
Although the Vatican Bank assured that it was not challenging the couple’s right to marry, a right Pope Francis himself encourages, the small size of the organisation left little room for flexibility. In a public statement, the bank insisted the policy was necessary to preserve its reputation and ensure all employees were treated equally.
The couple’s appeal to Pope Francis for leniency, given that their marriage plans were already underway before the rule was enforced, went unanswered. They were married in August, but by 1st October, they were asked to turn in their Vatican ID cards and return their IOR bank cards.
Working at the Vatican is considered a prestigious position for many, offering significant benefits such as tax-free salaries and access to Vatican services and facilities. However, this incident has drawn fresh attention to the evolving regulations governing Vatican employment and raises questions about how these rules align with the Church’s stance on marriage and family life.
The IOR, which has a history of financial scandals, has been working for over a decade to clean up its reputation. The Vatican Bank, which has been under scrutiny for years, has worked to reform its operations and reputation, as detailed in a report by the National Catholic Reporter. Today, its client base is mostly restricted to Vatican entities and religious organisations. It manages around €5.4 billion in assets and reported €30 million in net profits last year—considerably less than in previous years when it was known for donating as much as €50 million annually to fund Vatican operations.
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