And you wonder why I'm a cynic
By Diogenes (articles ) | July 09, 2003 10:48 AM
Just read this story from today's CWN offerings. Or, if you're confident that you can stay awake, read the archbishop's full statement on the Vatican web site.
Here it is in a nutshell: The Vatican's top representative at the UN thinks that governments should try to curtail illegal traffic in small-caliber firearms.
Wow.
Look: Even if you like small-caliber firearms, I think we can all readily agree that illegal arms sales should be, well, illegal. And they are. In fact, it makes very little sense to say that governments should oppose these sales. They already oppose them; that's what "illegal" means.
Sure, I realize that some governments could be more diligent in enforcing their laws. Still, I wonder: Why does the Vatican bother adding to the pile of pro forma statements collecting dust in the archives of a do-nothing international agency? Does an archbishop have anything better to do?
|
An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus: Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you! |
Easter Campaign: Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($27,795 to go):
$80,000.00
$52,204.70
35%
65%
|
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Pseudodionysius -
Jul. 09, 2003 3:56 PM ET USA
I don't think it's worth wasting large amounts of cynicism on, however. It would be worse if he were in a position to have some effect on the issue. I disagree. Finding out that Machiavelli is loose in the Vatican is just a big a story as finding out that Reichenbach or Comte or Nietzche is loose in the Vatican. It all must go -- "every hair and feather" as George McDonald said. Agreed?
-
Posted by: Pseudodionysius -
Jul. 09, 2003 2:57 PM ET USA
I wonder how many Exec calibre Catholic CFO laypeople would jump at the chance to get the Finances of the Vatican under control? Will they end up being Keatinged?
-
Posted by: AveMaria580 -
Jul. 09, 2003 12:59 PM ET USA
Archbishops certainly have better things to do. Those better things are often controversial. Another CWN story reports that Cardinals Mahoney and Egan are on the Vatican finance committee. With the messes in their own archdioceses, it seems that they would be better off addressing their own issues. But then they might actually have to lead and shepherd. Committees are easier than front lines. By what absurdity did Mahoney end up in Vatican finance? Doesn't seem to be his strong point.
-
Posted by: -
Jul. 09, 2003 12:38 PM ET USA
I can't imagine that a Vatican archbishop in a post at a do-nothing agency would have much else to do except buck for a cardinal's red hat by producing documents that are what the boss wants to hear. What you've tripped upon here is just the distasteful schmoozing of an ambitious underling. I don't think it's worth wasting large amounts of cynicism on, however. It would be worse if he were in a position to have some effect on the issue.
