To quote:
One highly-placed source in the Vatican said: “This could have very severe repercussions and is embarrassing for the British government - one has to question whether the action taken is enough.
“It is disgusting. Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See has been in to see the Secretary of State and explain what happened and this will all be relayed to the Pope.
“It’s even possible the trip could be cancelled as this matter is hugely offensive.”
Cardinal Renato Martino, the former head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said: “The British government has invited the Pope as its guest and he should be treated with respect.
“To make a mockery of his beliefs and the beliefs of millions of Catholics not just in Britain but across the world is very offensive indeed.”
Notice the immaturity here? No, not the civil servant who made the original joke - people are entitled to make jokes. I mean the immaturity of these Vatican officials who can't look at it with any sense of proportion. Grow up, children!
About Me
- Russell Blackford
- Australian philosopher, literary critic, legal scholar, and professional writer. Based in Newcastle, NSW. My latest books are THE TYRANNY OF OPINION: CONFORMITY AND THE FUTURE OF LIBERALISM (2019); AT THE DAWN OF A GREAT TRANSITION: THE QUESTION OF RADICAL ENHANCEMENT (2021); and HOW WE BECAME POST-LIBERAL: THE RISE AND FALL OF TOLERATION (2024).
4 comments:
It might just be a case of blowing it out of proportion so it can serve as an excuse for the Pope to cancel a risky trip.
Just heard Jim Murphy's toe-curling apology 'on behalf of all Britains'. I hardly need to say it, do I?
Oh yeah, and the revelation that the Vatican is lecturing the FCO on the inadequacy of their internal disciplinary measures is just ... beyond irony.
And finally the Vatican worked this out too: http://www.smh.com.au/world/vatican-says-case-closed-in-gaffe-over-popes-visit-20100426-tmvz.html
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