Filipino lawyer named new member of Vatican Bank’s Board of Supervision

A member of the Finance Board for the Archbishop of Manila has been appointed as the newest member of the Board of Supervision of the Istituto per le Opere di Religione (IOR), also known as the Vatican Bank. 

“We welcome Sheila Marie L. Uriarte-Tan. Her impressive experience and leadership skills in international banking and finance will help the IOR enhance the Board renovation process initiated last autumn,” said Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, president of the Board of Supervision, in a press statement quoted by the Archdiocese of Manila.

“Her joining us is a significant step towards strengthening the Institute’s strategic goals and improving the quality of services for our clients and the Holy See,” he added.

The Archdiocese said Tan, an economics and law graduate at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, is an accomplished lawyer with over 30 years of extensive experience in banking and asset management.

“Her skills in managing financial operations and leading significant trust groups in the Philippines will be valuable to the Board,” it added.

Aside from being in the Finance Board, Tan currently sits as a trustee and executive committee member for both the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center and the San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation in Manila.

The Archdiocese said Tan held key positions at the Bank of the Philippine Island, including serving as president and CEO of BPI Asset Management & Trust Corporation. She also held executive roles at the BPI Capital Corporation.

Tan also served as the Co-Managing Director of Ayala Group Legal.

The IOR or Vatican Bank is a financial institution that operates under the authority of the Vatican City and established to manage the financial assets of the Holy See. It also provides banking services to Catholic institutions, such as churches and charities, the Archdiocese said.

It added that the IOR helps support the Church’s mission and activities around the world by managing funds and investments. IOR is important for the financial operations of the Vatican and plays a role in supporting various charitable works.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News