Comments on: Pope Gets immunity for crime

By: rainbows4dinosaurs

rainbows4dinosaurs — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Whoa... are you fucking kidding me? Good grief.

By: rainbows4dinosaurs

rainbows4dinosaurs — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oh wait. I misread this. Okay so the plaintiff wanted to bring the head honcho from overseas into the case and the judge said no. Nothing out of the ordinary really, but you make an interesting point, Dave.

By: say_no_to_christ

say_no_to_christ — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Absolutely unacceptable!! GRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

By: say_no_to_christ

say_no_to_christ — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I thought there were global laws about protecting children??

By: mryder66

mryder66 — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

SNTC,

I thought there were global laws about protecting children??

If there are you will probably find that the US does not recognize them and is not a signatory to the treaty. For some reason, that I fail to understand, the US considers itself above international law.

Of course I could be totally wrong - and will be very happy if that is the case.

By: say_no_to_christ

say_no_to_christ — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks HeatheNZ

I know exactly what you mean about America thinking its self above international laws.

By: NOLA Tim

NOLA Tim — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

So the article also notes that the pope is head of a foreign state, which a lot of people seem to overlook. As such, should Catholic leaders in the US, who recognize and respond to the authority of their leader in Rome, be required to register as foreign agents? I mean, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t claim “diplomatic immunity” for the pope as a political leader, and then also claim freedom of religion when he tells followers in America what to do and what not to do.

By: Notorious Apostate

Notorious Apostate — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

NOLA Tim,
You’re absolutely right about this. The Papacy has been dancing this two-step since the dark ages. It really ought to be one or the other. As it is, they juggle between the options as suits them. Of course, if any state tries to control Catholic priests it will be deemed to be intruding upon freedom of religion. Where I live the most extreme right wing groups hide under the wide coat-tails of the Church and undermine the interests of the actual country (for the sake of the Vatican) even while they play the ‘patriot’ card. Quite disgusting.

By: ebonyfax

ebonyfax — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Just wondering...

Are there any other religious organizations recognized as states? Or is the Catholic church unique in this respect?

and in other news...

I'm thinking of starting a religion in my garage, declaring it an sovereign nation and demanding immunity from parking tickets.

By: sword_strike

sword_strike — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Having diplomatic immunity should'nt mean TOTAL immunity.

A russian diplomat killed a pedestrian while drunk driving last winter in Qu?bec. He could not be trial here so he was deported to face drunk driving charges in Russia where he got a looooong jail time after our government put some pressure on Russia.

With the (over)weight the US has, it could apply pressure for Ratzigner to face charges. Of course, Bush won't and anyway, the Vatican's point of view is that the pope is always right...

How convenient!