Ex-Argentinian Minister Says $9mn He Tried to Hide in Convent Came from Politics

Corruption by government officials is, I believe, rampant in most, if not all, 3rd world countries. I have complained many times about the incredible corruption in Nigeria, and I seriously doubt that there is a country in Africa where it does not thrive. 

That may also be true of South America. Brazil, was awarded the 2016 Summer Olympics because its economy was soaring and it appeared to be entering the industrialized world. The Olympic Games should have been a big step in that direction, but instead it has revealed utter failure for Brazil. While corruption was almost certainly not the cause of their demise, it certainly did not help - corruption to the highest levels of the government.

Now another emerging economy is revealing its corrupt underbelly to the world. 

In Canada, companies that do business internationally are punished for paying corrupt officials in 3rd world countries, but there simply is no other way of doing business with them. It's politics!

By Andrew V. Pestano  

Former Argentinian Public Works Minister Jose Lopez was arrested in June after trying to hide $9 million worth of cash and jewels in a Catholic convent. On Thursday, he said the money "belonged to politics." File photo UPI | License Photo

BUENOS AIRES, (UPI) -- Jose Lopez, ex-Argentinian public works minister under former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, said $9 million he tried to hide in a convent came from politics.

Lopez was arrested in June after nuns at a convent called police about a man throwing bags into their compound. The bags were full of cash and jewels.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner

Buenos Aires provincial security chief Cristian Ritondo said Lopez "was caught red-handed with six bags, a suitcase and a weapon" at the time of his arrest.

Fernandez de Kirchner previously dismissed the incident as an act that could occur in all governments

"I don't want to minimize anything, but I think those are episodes that can take place for any government," she said.

Lopez has been receiving psychiatric treatment while imprisoned. He had not been questioned since his arrest as authorities were waiting for his mental health to stabilize.

"First and foremost I want to say I was looking forward to appearing before you right now. Not like the first time, when I was out of my mind," Lopez said during testimony on Thursday, documents provided by Clarin show.

Lopez, who is being investigated for "illegal enrichment," said his wife and the nuns at the convent were not involved.

"They didn't know what was in them ... My wife either. I always kept her away from my work and political work," Lopez said. "What I will say regarding that money is that it didn't belong to me, it belonged to politics. I will provide all the details when I have the necessary physical and psychological strength."

Elderly Indian Nun Gang-raped in Convent School Attack

Is there anything beneath the dignity of Indian men? J.H. van Linschoten, in the 16th century, called them "the most lecherous of all people". Apparently, nothing has changed in more than 400 years.

From BBC India

Indian Christians hold placards protesting against recent attacks on churches
 in the Indian capital as they assemble outside the Sacred Heart Church
in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015

Police in eastern India are searching for a group of six men who gang-raped an elderly nun in West Bengal.

The men ransacked the convent school in Ranaghat early on Saturday morning and stole money before entering the convent itself.

The 74-year-old nun is now recovering in hospital.

Christian groups have recently held protests in the Indian capital, Delhi, saying they are being targeted and demanding better protection.

The Archbishop of Calcutta, Thomas d'Souza, told the BBC that security cameras inside the Convent of Jesus and Mary School show the faces of the six men who carried out the assault.

They first ransacked the school principal's office and classrooms before entering the convent itself.

"There are only three Sisters in the community," he said. "One sister was molested badly. The other two, and a guard, were tied to chairs."

A burnt crucifix stands at the altar of St. Sebastian"s Church after a fire
destroyed the church on Monday, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014

Several churches in Delhi have been attacked in recent months.

The men also stole money from the school, he said, vandalised the chapel, broke open the tabernacle and took away the ciborium, the sacred vessel used during Mass.

The school is well-known and has been open for 19 years, he added.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has condemned the incident.

The attack comes at a time of growing concern about sexual violence against women and there has been increased media reporting of rapes and assaults.

The background to this attack is not yet clear. But Christian groups elsewhere in India have expressed concern that they are increasingly being targeted.

Some highlight a series of recent attacks by vandals on churches in Delhi and call on the authorities to do more to protect them.

The increasing anti-Christian attitude is not isolated to India; it is happening in many countries, even so-called Christian countries. It is happening in parallel with increasing global anti-Semitism. It is a sign of the times! 

Ranaghat, West Bengal, India