Inquiry distresses nun

Press, 23 November 1981, Page 8

Inquiry distresses nun

NZPA-Reuter Calcutta Mother Teresa said yesterday she was surprised and distressed to read reports saying one of her organisations and the Vatican Bank were being investigated by Italian authorities for alleged violation of Italy’s currency regulations. The problem "does not concern us at all,” she said. “It is a matter between the bank and the Italian Government.” Mother Teresa said she had got the Indian Govern-

ment's permission to keep money in the Vatican Bank and also in banks in other countries. Her charitable organisations. functioned in .41 countries' and most of them had bank accounts in those countries. . "Since the Indian Government does not allow money to be sent out from India, a part of the funds is kept in the Vatican Bank because it is centrally located and it is. easy to send out money from there to those of the organ-

isations which may need it," she said. The money, “is not ours, it belongs to the poor." “The Indian Government knows everything. “Audited accounts are kept and we declare everything in writing," she said. Her organisation did not pay taxes, "since the money is not ours." It was meant for charitable purposes and the funds were provided by people and organisations to “help us work for God."