A Sound Decision: Irish Embassy Closed to the Vatican, iNEWP, November 6, 2011

A Sound Decision: Irish Embassy Closed to the Vatican

iNEWP
November 6, 2011

inewp.com/?p=9608

The decision made by the Irish government on the closure of its embassy to the Vatican has been applauded by many across the world who have criticized the Pope and the thousands of controversial child sex abuse cases while at the same time has stunned the old men of the Holy See. Traditionally, Ireland and Vatican, ever since the days of Elizabeth the First have been close in relations due to Catholicism. This decision was most likely influenced by the sex abuse cases that the Vatican only solves by relocating priests or covering them up.

Now, Ireland is the first country that has deeply rooted Catholic values to close its embassy to the Vatican.

According to the Vatican, Irish officials informed them of the decision hours before the announcement was made. Officially, the Irish government's reason for closing down the embassy was because it "yields no economic return".

It was a subtle slap in the face of the Vatican which considers its embassies as bridgeheads for "humanitarian works" and not as "economic centers".

Though the embassy is closed, relations between the two will continue on with an ambassador stationed in the capital of Dublin.

Ireland is completely justified in its action in that it actually does save money, that its embassies in East Timor and Iran were also closed in the decision for economic reasons (1.25 million euros will be saved per year as a result) and that the Vatican, despite the overwhelming and damning evidence of its priests raping children, does nothing and instead obstructs investigations.

The Vatican currently has diplomatic relations with the majority of the world (179 countries). What its officials fear is that other countries may follow Ireland's decision of closing their embassies to the Vatican.

Anti-Vatican sentiments are widespread in many parts of the world including Spain and Britain where millions of protesters gathered to demonstrate against Pope Benedict XVI's pointless and money-wasting visits earlier this year and last year, respectively.