Can anyone explain why countries have diplomatic relationships with the Vatican?

by | April 13, 2015

vaticanandfrenchflagSo the pope has “failed to confirm” France’s choice of ambassador to the Vatican. Laurent Stefanini,  who is openly gay, was nominated by the French government on January 5th.   The reasonable assumption is that, since three months have passed since the ambassador’s nomination, he has been deemed unacceptable for the post. The Vatican has declined to respond when asked for an explanation of why they have apparently rejected Stefanini.

This raises a number of questions:

  • What bearing does a person’s sexual orientation have on his ability to perform diplomatic functions?
  • Why is it considered important to have diplomatic relations with a city-state that has no other function besides being the headquarters of a religious institution?

and, one more:

  • Why does the province of Ontario let that city-state control a large segment of our public education system?

H/T Butterflies and Wheels

3 thoughts on “Can anyone explain why countries have diplomatic relationships with the Vatican?

  1. Veronica Abbass

    The Government of Canada can explain,

    “Though not a typical State, the Holy See is an active and influential player on the global scene with a well established diplomatic network around the world and participation in many international organizations. The Embassy of Canada to the Holy See represents and defends Canadian interests as well as contributes to a better understanding of Canada in the Holy See.” http://is.gd/ce6c0E

    Reply
  2. Veronica Abbass

    “Why does the province of Ontario let that city-state control a large segment of our public education system?”

    Answer

    Toronto’s Cardinal Thomas Collins blessed Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at the first-ever Roman Catholic Mass celebrated at Queen’s Park in Toronto. http://is.gd/OnzMV1

    Reply
  3. Tim Underwood

    Mixing politics with religious privilege ruins democracy because it divided our electorate up into gangs.

    Religious practice is a form of spiritual activity similar to motorcycling. ‘On Any Sunday’ is the competition motorcyclist’s most nostalgic movie. Both activities are even commonly practiced on the same weekday.

    Our Prime Minister’s office has a great distain for motorcycle gangs and a great affection for religious gangs.

    or:

    Our Prime Minister’s office has a great distain for motorcycle affiliations and a great affection for religious affiliations.

    My words not theirs, but who really cares about his personal biases.

    At least motorbikes are real; as well as a whole lot spiritual.

    Mixing education with religious privilege ruins learning.

    How? Well for one thing it glosses over horrendous church histories and renders young people unaware of the church’s diabolical past.

    Mixing motorcycling with education wouldn’t in anyway inhibit learning; unless you consider accidents.

    Motorcycles would be a great expense and a great time suck, so in this regard, it would be just as foolish of a thing to support, within the schools, as religious practice.

    Reply

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