Sunday, April 27, 2008

Just a Matter of Time

I have thought about the following possibility extensively in the past, and after Pope Benedict's visit to the U.S. it resurfaced as a real and palpable, possible future scenario. Sooner or later - in my humble and unfortunate opinion - the Vatican will suffer a terrorist attack. Before you accuse me of being an alarmist or a "prophet of doom", think about some of the events that directly involve the Holy Father, as well as the geopolitical climate that we are faced with today. The Holy Father is under death threats by Osama bin Laden for his supposed support of the United States and for the Holy See's diplomatic ties to Israel. To illustrate the Vatican's unique relationship with Judaism, Pope Benedict visited a synagogue during his stay in New York - embracing and exchanging gifts with Rabbi Arthur Schneier - while, to the comdemnation of some, excluded from his hectic schedule a visit to a mosque. Vatican officials responded to the criticism by stating that historically, a special kinship exists between Christians and Jews that does not exist between Christians and Muslims. On September of 2006, while delivering a lecture at the University of Regendburg in Germany, Pope Benedict cited a passage by Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus which stated :

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

His comments touched-off a flurry of Muslim criticism around the world, and may have even led to the retaliatory murder of Sister Leonella Sgorbati, a missionary nun helping the impoverished people of Africa.

With its openness to the public, who's to say no one can walk into St. Peter's, heavily laden with hidden explosives, and carry out a suicide attack? It seems to me that the misanthropes comprising Al-Qaeda would argue that the Vatican is to Christianity what the Twin Towers were to robust, economic prosperity. Let's hope I'm wrong.

9 comments:

Rita said...

It is just a matter of time before we are faced by some unexpected tragedy.It is just a matter of time before we die. It is just a matter of time before the world ends.

Are we prepared, are we VERY prepared? (And I don't mean hoarding tins of food in the garage!) It is our reaction to events and our interaction with the people that may threaten us that we should worry about, because on that we will be judged.

kitchu said...

I'd never thought of this but certainly it's plausible... I hope you are wrong though.

As for the end of the world? Nah. The world will change, for sure, but not end. No thing is permanent (but change, right??)...

Tracy said...

I wonder too, how prepared are we? I hope your are wrong but it is indeed possible.

Tom in Vegas said...

Rita-

I know that eventually a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions will strike humanity. But in a more focused evaluation, the Vatican is an easy target for those who like to kill and destroy ANYTHING that is not like them. Is anyone in Rome taking this seriously enough??

Kris and Tracy-

I hope I'm wrong, too. VERY wrong.

paramedicgirl said...

Don't underestimate the Swiss Guard. They are the best in the world. And they guard the Pope. I don't think they'll let any Muslims go into the Vatican and chop the neck of anyone!

Shirley said...

Let's hope the Vatican is protected by legions of angels as well as the Swiss Guard!

Adrienne said...

I think the USA is in more danger than the Vatican.

Jennifer said...

I can see it happening, I pray it doesn't but it worries me.

I work with a girl who went to Europe for her honeymoon. She was at the Vatican. She said it had metal detectors, security was tight etc. She was there during Holy Week so I don't know if security is always that tight...I hope so.

kRad said...

You can add the list the baptism of Magdi Allam at St. Peter's this Easter.