Canon law allows property transfers to be concealed

Religious orders can avoid getting the consent of the Charity Commissioners when they are transferring protected property if they conduct deals under canon law instead.

The orders have been advised that canon law is considered a separate jurisdiction and once a transfer complies with its constitution, it does not have to go through Irish legal procedures.

There are strict rules under canon law governing how property is kept and passed on. For this reason orders have typically preferred to deal with the Charity Commissioners.