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Conference taveng::bagels

Title:BAGELS and other things of Jewish interest
Notice:1.0 policy, 280.0 directory, 32.0 registration
Moderator:SMURF::FENSTER
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1524
Total number of notes:18709

1316.0. "A Valid Comparison?" by BUSY::DKATZ (The Tuna Zone) Mon Mar 22 1993 00:59

    Many of you may know by now that Boston Mayor Ray Flynn has been
    appointed as U.S. embassador to the Vatican.
    
    In a number of other files, this has created something of a stir
    because a number of people do not believe that the U.S. should have a
    full embassy to a nation such as the Vatican which acts as the seat for
    the Roman Catholic Church.
    
    In response to that sentiment, I've heard a number of people respond
    that if we don't have an embassy to the Vatican then we should not have
    one to Israel -- essentially comparing and equating Israel's role with
    the Vatican's.
    
    I feel this fails on a number of levels -- first: Israel is not the
    seat of Judaism, it does not act as a central authority for the
    religion, second: Judaism is traditionally a national identity as well
    as a religious identity, third: while religious parties and rabbinic
    leaders have a lot of influence in Israel (some argue too much influence)
    Israle is a democracy, not a theocracy -- Judaism is not the only
    religion allowed in Israel...although I have heard people relate that
    there are not inconsequential restrictions placed upon non-Judaic
    religions.
    
    My question is: do you think the comparison to the Vatican is at all
    valid?
    
    Regards,
    
    Daniel 
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1316.1What's the big deal?CRLVMS::SEIDMANMon Mar 22 1993 16:3712
    Israel and The Vatican have in common the fact that they are both
    widely recognized as independent sovereign countries.  Beyond that it
    is hard to see analogies.  I also find it hard to understand what the
    fuss is all about; we maintain diplomatic relations with at least one
    other country in which the head of state is head of church (the U.K.),
    and others that identify themselves explicitly as religious states
    (e.g. Pakistan).  Israel identifies itself as a Jewish state, but with
    an explicitly secular governing system (except for certain issues of
    personal status).
    
    Aaron
    
1316.2CALLME::MR_TOPAZMon Mar 22 1993 19:1314
       I believe that The Vatican is generally regarded as a principality
       rather than a country.  Principalities (for example, Monaco, San
       Marino, or Liectenstein) are like countries in that they have
       their own government and issue money and/or postage stamps;
       however, they may rely on neighboring countries to provide some or
       all of their infrastructure needs.  In terms of recognition as a
       nation, I don't know of any principality that has ever been
       accepted as a member of the U.N.

       Comparing a principality to a nation is like comparing matzo brie
       to chicken fat.

       --Mr Topaz
       
1316.3How about matzo vs. a tam-tamCRLVMS::SEIDMANTue Mar 23 1993 16:239
    re: .2
    
    The Vatican may, indeed, have the technical status of a principality,
    but it maintains diplomatic relations with a large number of countries
    and, from what I have read, is treated diplomatically as a sovereign 
    entity.  This is not the case with the other principalities as far as 
    I know.
    
    Aaron
1316.4NOTIME::SACKSGerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085Tue Mar 23 1993 18:483
Although the Vatican has very few citizens (subjects?), it has an influence
over a large number of people who are citizens of other countries.  Monaco,
Andorra etc. have no world-wide influence.
1316.5Lesson on Diplomatic NicetiesNEWOA::MINDELSOHN_CTue Mar 23 1993 20:0222
    
    Kingdom      = head of state is a king or queen
    Principality = head of state is a prince
    Duchy        = head of state is a duke
    
    Although the last two types of state do tend to be small, this doesn't
    necessarily mean:-
    
    a) It's administered by other countries - this is called a condominium
       (honest!)
    b) It doesn't have any influence on the world; Luxembourg, a duchy, is
       a major administrative centre for the EEC.
    
    If the pope doesn't count "prince" among his titles, then Vatican is
    not a principality - probably just a City State (like Venice was ages
    ago).
    
    ... from your diplomatic correspondant,
    
    
    Celia.
    
1316.6forget the nitsFROZEN::CHERSONthe door goes on the rightTue Mar 23 1993 23:448
	>but it maintains diplomatic relations with a large number of countries
   
    Hey folks, let's forget the nits over what's a principality, duchy, or
    city-state.  This is THE Vatican, the Catholic Church World HQ.  I'd
    say that they have a fair amount of relation to millions of people in
    the world.
    
    --David
1316.7Everyone's doing it.ERICG::ERICGEric GoldsteinWed Mar 31 1993 12:1234
               Attention Israel Line Recipients
 
                   Tuesday, March 30, 1993
 
...
 
Israel and Vatican Resume Talks on Establishing Diplomatic
Relations
 
Today's HADASHOT reports that talks between Israel and the Vatican
on the issue of establishing diplomatic relations resumed today in
Jerusalem. ...
 
... 
 
Today's Israel Line was prepared by Sharon Eshet and Robert
Socolof.

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1316.8more proofFROZEN::CHERSONthe door goes on the rightWed Mar 31 1993 20:348
    re: .7
    
    Eric, The (seemingly) never-ending saga of Israeli-Vatican relations
    should be proof enough that the Vatican is a diplomatic entity, and one
    to be reckoned with.  In specific regards to the middle east is the
    "question" of Jerusalem, and relations with both Israel and the PLO.
    
    --David