In The News - Stupid Question time

[inulro]

If the Vatican has just vetoed two candidates for ambassador from the US because they support abortion rights and stem cell research (here), what do they do about countries where such things are non-controversial and anyone chosen to be ambassador would be in favour of them? Do such countries have no formal relations with the Vatican?

Seriously, lazy and enquiring minds want to know.

Comments

[solentindream.livejournal.com]

the vatican see only the money... poor god
hey! i added you, i want to read you :)

[aoakley.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine the Vatican would see a difference between actively "supporting" abortion rights, and passively "accepting" your nation's laws/rights/constitution. It's the difference between being an activist and being a bystander.

I don't think the Vatican are only permitting people who are actively anti-abortion, I just think they're insisting that any incoming ambassadors aren't solely focussed on policies to which they are fundamentally opposed. An ambassador exists to promote dialogue, so if they start from fixed opposing viewpoints which are never going to change then there is no dialogue to take place. I'd imagine we've done much the same with the Argentinian ambassador or similar.

[zotz]

How much do you want to know? Is it worth me trying to pass on the question to someone who can answer it?

[nwhyte]

Jeppers, it's a poor show when a potential ambvassador from country Y to country X is vetoed for not being sufficiently in tune with country X's views. It's their job to represent country Y, not country X!

[inulro.livejournal.com]

Go ahead, but be warned - I'm really boring!

Where in Argentina do you live?

PS I love your icon.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

Probably not.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I was interested in your opinion :-)

It does open an interesting can of worms, not the least of which is whether having an ambassador to the Vatican is a bit of an anachronism anyway, and how do countries like Saudi & other Gulf states find Western ambassadors they can approve of?

[solentindream.livejournal.com]

i live in the capital city (ciudad autonoma de buenos aires)