Friday, January 19, 2007
Who Knew?
Damned Lies and Statistics: Is the Vatican a Rogue State? - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News: "The Vatican's attorney general Nicola Picardi released the astounding statistic at the start of 2007: The tiny nation's justice department in 2006 had to contend with 341 civil and 486 criminal cases. In a population of 492, that measures out to 1.5 cases per person -- twenty times the corresponding rate in Italy.
By this measurement at least, crime is soaring in the Vatican in spite of a security force that would put a police state to shame. The seat of the Catholic Church has one Swiss guard for every four citizens, not to mention museum guards and police assigned to the Vatican by Italy."
Really? Per person, more than any other state or union in the world? That's funny. Benedict's response, however, elicits more than a muted giggle: ""Let us pray," he said, "for the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary."" Isn't it in the very core of Catholicism that you ask for such protection, and have been asking for centuries? How does this appeal differ? The delusional always garner a laugh.
By this measurement at least, crime is soaring in the Vatican in spite of a security force that would put a police state to shame. The seat of the Catholic Church has one Swiss guard for every four citizens, not to mention museum guards and police assigned to the Vatican by Italy."
Really? Per person, more than any other state or union in the world? That's funny. Benedict's response, however, elicits more than a muted giggle: ""Let us pray," he said, "for the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary."" Isn't it in the very core of Catholicism that you ask for such protection, and have been asking for centuries? How does this appeal differ? The delusional always garner a laugh.
