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Skriven 2006-04-26 21:46:08 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

ARCHBISHOP LAJOLO: THE CHURCH DOES NOT IMPOSE CIVIL LAWS

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 2006 (VIS) - On April 16, the Indonesian newspaper
"Kompas" published an interview with Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for
Relations with States, in which the prelate dwelt on such topics as the special
status of Vatican City State, the Holy See's diplomatic activity, the
separation between Church and State, and inter-religious dialogue.

In his interview, the archbishop points out how the name "Vatican" is often
used to refer to two very different things: There is Vatican City State, which
is a country in its own right, "though of minuscule political substance, and
having the sole purpose of guaranteeing the independence of the Pope, as
supreme authority of the Catholic Church, from any form of civil jurisdiction."
And there is the Holy See, which is "the Pope and the Roman Curia, ... and is
sometimes commonly though incorrectly referred to as the Vatican because it has
its headquarters in Vatican City State. But the Holy See is not an organ of
civil government and hence does not have political functions. Therefore, the
problem of confusion or overlap between the two functions - the political
function of the State and the religious function of the Church - does not
arise."

The archbishop continues by explaining that, while the external relations of
Vatican City State "are of modest proportions and directed above all to Italy
and to a few international organizations for such matters as post and
telecommunications," the Holy See has "a vast network of embassies (known
technically as 'apostolic nunciatures') all over the world."

Unlike other embassies, Archbishop Lajolo goes on, nunciatures do not concern
themselves with "political questions, defense or trade, but with matters
concerning the freedom of the Church and human rights. Mostly, the Holy See
intervenes to guarantee the juridical status of the Church and, in some
countries, to defend Catholic faithful who may be oppressed or subject to
pressure and discrimination; and it does so by invoking the rights endorsed in
the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, or even those ratified by the Constitutions of
particular States. ... There are various criteria for intervention depending on
the situation, and they are naturally inspired by the will to help in the most
effective way possible, and hence with the necessary prudence and reserve to
ensure there are no negative repercussions."

On the subject of the separation of Church and State, the archbishop says: "The
Church in no way seeks to impose any piece of civil legislation, if political
forces do not themselves take it up. The fundamental principle of distinction
between political and religious spheres and firm protection for religious
freedom applies, according to which, just as the State does not interfere in
the activities of the Church, so it does not take orders from her. The Church -
in practice, the bishops in the countries concerned - seeks to illuminate
Catholics and public opinion ... using public declarations to explain the
Catholic position on the moral questions that arise from political activity and
legislation, and adopting above all rational arguments accessible even to those
without faith."

"At a universal level, the Holy See intervenes on the great moral questions
posed by politics through such documents as papal Encyclicals and Apostolic
Exhortations, and the instructions issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith. Various criteria are used to judge where it is appropriate to
intervene, but the Church cannot in any case remain silent when the dignity or
the fundamental rights of mankind, or religious freedom, are in question."

Closing his interview by turning to the question of dialogue between different
faiths, the secretary for Relations with States affirmed that Benedict XVI will
continue, just as his predecessors did, "the commitment to inter-religious
dialogue."

After highlighting how "a conflict of cultures, or worse still of religions,
could divide people even more than they are already divided," the archbishop
points out that "inter-religious dialogue aims at a better understanding of the
faith of others and at making one's own faith better known, as well as at
reinforcing mutual bonds of personal respect. ... It does not aim to make those
who participate in it less faithful to their own profound religious
convictions, but to open minds and hearts ever more to the will of God."
.../CHURCH:STATE:INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE/LAJOLO VIS 060421 (740)

SUMMARY

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