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So, on the one hand, we have a story of personal here. When the pope had to find two hundred million rivalry, born from a lovers’ dispute, while on the other — dollars that Calvi, ‘God's Banker’, owed the Vatican in hand we are told that this is a conspiracy in which 982, Opus Dei came up with it. And at that time Opus Tornay was an innocent victim because he had been Dei was made personal prelature. When the pope researching ties that Estermann and his wife had with wanted a new spokesman, Opus Dei gave him Navarro- Opus Dei. Of course, both are not mutually exclusive, Valls. And all the time there is Opus Dei's hidden as Tornay could have been selected to spy on agenda, to grow and grow and grow. There are people in Estermann specifically because of their personal he Vatican who can't stand it, but that hasn't stopped relationship. But why is this all so important? Opus Dei from getting more and more powerful. Of It is a fact that Opus Dei had largely taken control of — course it would love an Opus Dei pope.” (Follain, 2003, the Vatican by 1998, and the promotion of an Opus Dei p. 110) member to commander of the Swiss Guard was in itself In an attempt to uncover the truth, we need to return to nothing out of the ordinary except further evidence of he prosecutor Ferdinando Imposimato. He argues that its ever-growing influence. Even though there was an Estermann was instrumental in the 1981 assassination alleged power struggle between "the Masons" and Opus attempt, not because he allegedly protected the pope Dei over control of the Vatican, whispers go that the true rom dying but because he took part in its planning. reason why the Vatican hesitated over Estermann's mposimato and Agca claim that the KGB was promotion is due to rumours of his homosexuality. This responsible for the assassination attempt, and that the is also the opinion of "Vatican spymaster" Yvon GB left it to its satellite states’ intelligence agencies to Bertorello, who claims that Estermann had homosexual work out the detail. Though the Bulgarians have often relationships with various other Swiss Guard members. been singled out, it is clear that such an attempt would Bertorello adds that Estermann and Tornay indeed had ave involved rallying together all the assets which the a homosexual relationship, even Soviet Bloc had in and near the hough Tornay, unmarried, was ce Vatican. This would have eterosexual. Bertorello notes welt IS clear that such an included Estermann, who was hat even the pope knew, and on the Stasi's list of assets. hat it was indeed the pope who attempt would have mposimato refers to Estermann blocked the promotion: "But involved rallying together as a "precious pawn" in the Cardinal Sodano lobbied and : preparatory phase of the 13 May obbied until he finally got what all the assets which the 981 assassination attempt. If e wanted." (Follain, 2003, pp. Soviet Bloc had in and tue, it puts Estermann's murder 70-71) Q in a totally different framework near the Vatican. and may also explain why Pope Another Possible Scenario ohn Paul II blocked his The evidence suggests that promotion. Equally, it is Estermann and Tornay had a homosexual relationship. | reported—and accepted—that Estermann's office had But other evidence—the second autopsy and the _ been burgled on a number of occasions. Each time, suicide note—also suggests that Tornay did not commit some files were removed but valuables were left in suicide, which suggests he did not kill Estermann and place. Estermann also apparently complained of being hat Tornay was asked to spy on Estermann because of — under surveillance; he had CCTV installed in all areas he latter's involvement with Opus Dei. that fell under Swiss Guard control...and, if anything, it When asked about a motive for Estermann's murder, would be interesting to find out what precisely was Monsignor Vladimir Felzmann, an ex-Opus Dei member, recorded on the night of 4 May 1998. stated: "Estermann would be of great interest to Opus The central question is whether Tornay found material Dei... With Estermann in its grip, Opus Dei would be —_ about the Estermanns—not necessarily though possibly able to find out how the pope was, and who|m] he saw to do with Opus Dei—and that, as a result of this, all three rom day to day. [He] would be privy to quite a few __had to be silenced so that "something" would not come secrets about the cardinals, their health, that kind of out. If so, that "something" remains likely buried forever. hing. And among the cardinals is John Paul's — But what has now become clear is that "murder-suicide" in successor. Never forget that for Opus Dei knowledge is __ the Vatican is far more interesting and important than the power. It would be able to get anyone into the Vatican; official version has led us to believe. Bringing it back to he guards wouldn't breathe a word. You have access, St Peter's Square and 13 May 1981, we can—and you have freedom." (Follain, 2003, p. 107) should—ask the question as to whether the Swiss Felzmann was also asked if Pope John Paul Il was = Guard—or at least some or one of its members, like involved with Opus Dei. He replied: "Of course he is. | Estermann—"stood down" and, by doing so, enabled n all sorts of ways... We used to bank with Banco Ambrosiano; I used to deposit money in our account Continued on page 83) attempt would have involved rallying together all the assets which the NEXUS ¢ 57 ..jit is clear that such an Soviet Bloc had in and near the Vatican. Continued on page 83) AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2011 www.nexusmagazine.com