The Holy See rejected claims that discontent is widespread among its employees after an internal survey found distrust of managers and alleged workplace harassment.<\/p>\n
The Holy See\u2019s labor office is pushing back on claims of widespread worker dissatisfaction after an internal survey by the Association of Vatican Lay Employees (ADLV) alleged distrust of leadership and instances of workplace bullying.<\/p>\n
In an interview with the official Vatican News outlet, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, president of the Office of Labor of the Apostolic See (ULSA), said his office \u201calways has its doors open\u201d and stressed that its mission is to ensure \u201cthere are no situations in which employees\u2019 rights are not respected or are violated in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t seem to me that the discontent is widespread,\u201d Sprizzi said, noting that the survey sample was \u201cvery small,\u201d amounting to \u201cless than 5% of employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the report, 250 people responded to the survey, with about 80% of respondents belonging to the ADLV. The Holy See has around 4,200 workers, though Vatican News estimated the overall figure at more than 6,000 when including retirees.<\/p>\n
Sprizzi added that even a single complaint must be taken seriously. \u201cWe listen to everyone. We are a structure of dialogue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
New statutes, broader representation<\/p>\n
Sprizzi also pointed to new statutes for ULSA approved in December 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, which he said strengthen the office\u2019s mission of unity, representativeness, and the promotion of labor rights in line with the Church\u2019s social teaching.<\/p>\n
\u201cRowing in the same direction does not mean reducing the protection of workers but promoting it in a spirit of dialogue and mutual trust,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sprizzi said ULSA remains in constant contact with employees, Vatican administrations, and the ADLV, describing the relationship as marked by \u201cconstructive and frequent\u201d discussions. He said technical working groups and commissions have been created to examine solutions to specific situations \u201cin the interest of everyone: the employees and also the Holy See.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018More positive\u2019 overall \u2014 but wages still a concern<\/p>\n
Against perceptions of general dissatisfaction, Sprizzi said that, in his experience, \u201cthe most widespread feeling is rather positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
He cited the Vatican\u2019s decision during the COVID-19 pandemic not to lay off employees or reduce salaries despite financial difficulties. He also pointed to employee family services such as a daycare center and summer camp, as well as recent measures by Pope Leo XIV aimed at improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Sprizzi acknowledged areas that still need improvement, including aligning salary levels more closely with actual responsibilities. \u201cIn some cases the necessary adjustments have not been made, but we are working on it to do justice to those who have a right to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Harassment claims: \u2018I am not aware of any case\u2019<\/p>\n
Asked about allegations of workplace harassment referenced in the survey, Sprizzi said: \u201cPersonally, I am not aware of any case.\u201d He noted that legal mechanisms exist to report abuse and said that if such situations were present, \u201cthe first to intervene would be the Holy Father.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing is rumors, another is verifying the truth,\u201d he said, adding that the moral demands of justice in the world of work have been a priority of the Church since Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII.<\/p>\n
Sprizzi insisted the Vatican\u2019s approach is dialogue rather than conflict, saying those who work for the Holy See share a common mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are like an orchestra in which each instrument must contribute to harmony,\u201d he said, adding that ULSA aims to strengthen dialogue with workers \u2014 individually and through their associations \u2014 and to serve as a bridge with Vatican employers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is for this dialogue to be increasingly constructive and serene, rooted in the light of the Gospel and the social magisterium of the Church, in a spirit of ecclesial communion and effective respect for workers\u2019 rights,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Acest articol a fost publicat ini\u021bial de ACI Prensa, serviciul de limb\u0103 spaniol\u0103 al EWTN News. Ea a fost tradus\u0103 \u0219i adaptat\u0103 de EWTN News English.<\/p>\n