Vatican sets up anti-terrorist squad
2008 July 12
The Telegraph reports:
The Vatican has created an anti-terrorist unit in order to guard the Holy See and the pope from a possible attack.Vatican security forces now include an anti-bomb squad and a rapid response team, according to Domenico Giani, the head of the Holy See’s 130-man gendarmerie.
The Vatican will also work more closely with Interpol to gather information on any threats, he said.
[...]
The Swiss Guards have also been given anti-terrorism training, and now carry SIG P75 pistols and Heckler-Koch MP5 sub-machine guns, as well as their traditional halberds.
Jesus himself, of course, told his disciples to get rid of their swords when they tried to defend him from arrest. But his Vicar needs sub-machine guns?
Just sayin’.
Traditional Catholic doctrine enjoins the faithful to be good citizens and patriots, to obey the laws, and to fight for their nation when called upon to do so by the authorities.
Catholic priests, with the full authorization of the Church, have traditonally served as chaplains in the armed forces of various countries—including those at war with each other. And the Catholic bishops in such countries each prayed for victory.
Of course, being a good citizen and patriot is not the
highestmoral duty in the Church’s estimation; others must take precedence at times, even unto martyrdom.But this is the exception, not the rule, and does not authorize individuals to engage in personal secession at their own whim.
Nor has the Church ever preached pacifism or anarchism. It has generally been, and is today, a profoundly conservative institution.
What’s your point?
I think this needs to be handled sensitively, Michael. Most American police officers go their entire careers without discharging their weapons, and there have been both successful terrorist attacks in Western Europe as recently as 2005 and explicit threats made against the Vatican (even as it denounces the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). Also, when the Pope quoted a historical figure that mentioned Mohammed it triggered the martydom of several nuns and riots throughout the holy land.
You’ve argued for nuance and understanding for other groups. Maybe some understanding is needed here as well.
“Holy Land” should read “Middle East”
Hi Adam—Obviously, admittedly, I’m not offering any thoughtful reflection on the matter in this post. If I were, I would be more nuanced.
Granted. I guess I’m just reflexively defensive of the Vatican.
After all, they put their flag up in Church! :)
-Adam V
While Constantine I can’t receive total credit for creation of the Vatican, he was it’s chief benefactor.
The Vatican is one of the wealthiest states in the world.
We need to remember 1 Samuel 8:5-7
5and say unto him, `Lo, thou hast become aged, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways; now, appoint to us a king, to judge us, like all the nations.’
6And the thing is evil in the eyes of Samuel, when they have said, `Give to us a king to judge us;’ and Samuel prayeth unto Jehovah.
7And Jehovah saith unto Samuel, `Hearken to the voice of the people, to all that they say unto thee, for thee they have not rejected, but Me they have rejected, from reigning over them.
Wealthiest states in the world?!? Micheal McEvoy, the local supermarket chain in my state has a higher annual budget than Vatican City
The Swiss Guard have always carried modern weapons, they just don’t do so visibly since WW2.
When Rome was occupied by the Nazis, and the Swiss Guard and Weirmacht were patrolling opposite sides of a line down St. Peter’s Square glaring at each other, Pius XII ordered that the Swiss Guard only openly carry ceremonial weapons, in order to avoid a pretext for skirmishes between the Germans and his guards. However, they’re always carried a concealed modern weapons and practiced with them.
Istavan is right – The Vatican is not one of the wealthiest states in the world.
Darwin – I am aware of that.
To: church general-Jesus told Peter to put away his sword because He knew that the prophecy had to be fulfilled.Jesus knew that he would be arrested. That had nothing to do with bearing arms or not.