when did it become a country??? and their only vote is on the 'conscience' of the world populace----what a shame......
The foreign relations of the Vatican are entrusted to the Holy See's Secretariat of State and diplomatic service.
The Holy See has been a permanent observer in the United Nations since 1964 and, in July 2004, gained all the rights of full membership except voting.[4] According to Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See Permanent Observer, “We have no vote because this is our choice.” He added that the Holy See considers that its current status “is a fundamental step that does not close any path for the future.
The Holy See is also a permanent observer of the following international organizations:
* Council of Europe in Strasbourg * International Organization for Migration (IOM) * International Labour Organization (ILO) * International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) * Latin Union (LU) * Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington * Organisation of African Unity (OAU) * United Nations * UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) * United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) * United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) * United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) * Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) * World Tourism Organization (WToO) * World Trade Organization (WTO) * World Health Organization (WHO) * World Food Programme (WFP)
The Vatican City may be small, but it is very powerful. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See, or the seat of the Catholic Church (basically its central government), which has over 1 billion people (about 1 in 6 people on the planet) as constituents.
The Vatican City was created in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty (which was signed by one of history’s most repressive dictators, Benito Mussolini) and is ruled by the Pope, basically a non-hereditary, elected monarch who rules with absolute authority (he’s the legislative, executive and judiciary all rolled into one) - indeed, the Pope is the only absolute monarch in Europe.
OLA generally has Blackjack, Roulette, and a few other "games of chance" at their big festa.
Ahhhh...those wholesome games that every member of the church family can enjoy together!!!
And if I remember correctly....they post a sign outside of the door that leads into the church 'entertainment room' that says, 'must be over 18 years old'.
Also if I remember correctly, OLA didn't have gambling entertainment one year and they didn't make out so well financially. So it is back by popular demand.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
For a long time, now, I’ve had a big question for the Catholic churches in this region. Like, for instance, Our Lady of Assumption or Mount Carmel. Why does a big feast go on every year with a lot of gambling and drinking? Yes, of course, there’s fun things to do, like games, entertainment, rides, fried dough, good food, drinking and betting your money. But, wait, alcohol and gambling are definitely a sin in God’s eyes. I’ve been a believer and saved over 10 years now, and was always taught what the sinful things in life are. What kind of example are we setting for those who don’t believe? REBECCA DESANTIS Rotterdam Junction
Re Aug. 20 letter, “Church should not promote sinful activities”: The 2008 festa held this month [Aug. 8-10] at our Lady of the Assumption Church in Rotterdam was a parish event that was enjoyed by the community. Yes, we sold beer and wine and had games of chance for the adults. Both required permits from the local and New York state agencies and were executed with great control. The highlights of the event were actually the homemade food, entertainment and the chance to slow down and spend time with friends and family. The money raised from this event helps support a position in our church that provides community outreach for the sick and elderly in our parish. The leftover food from this year’s festa was donated to the Schenectady City Mission. Our church worship space was also open to all that attended. I thank all of the dedicated volunteers who worked so hard to help make our festa a success, and the parish and community for their support. STEVEN MASULLO Altamont
The writer is the 2008 Our Lady of the Assumption festa co-chairperson.
Matthew 21:12-14: .12 And Jesus went into the temple and he threw-out all the (people) selling and buying in the temple, and he turned-down the tables of the money-changers and the seats of the (people) selling the doves, .13 and he says to them, “It was written2, ‘My house will be called: house of prayer’ – but you make it a cave of robbers.” .14 And blind-people and lame-people came-towards him in the temple and he attended-to them.
"BINGO" Kevin!!!!! (and no pun intended with the bingo thing)
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The Roman Catholic Church in our community needs to take a look at the message it is sending to young people when they serve alcohol and offer gambling at their church summer and fall festivals. I think the message these church festivals are sending to the young people is that it’s OK to drink and gamble if you want have a good time. Alcoholism and gambling have destroyed so many families in our society. College administrators will tell you that gambling among students is becoming as serious a problem as drinking. The Catholic Church is against abortion and preaches that we should protect the fetus. However, alcohol is still sold at these festivals when scientific research has shown that even moderate drinking of alcohol and maybe only one drink can produce fetal damage. One festival organizer admitted to me that you bring in more money if you sell alcohol drinks and offer gambling. Of course I understand that it may have to do with a lack education among clergy. A report, “So Help Me God: Substance Abuse, Religion and Spirituality,” that was published in 2001 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that only 12.5 percent of clergy received any education on alcoholism and substance abuse while preparing for the ministry. However, the report found that 70 percent of the Catholic clergy surveyed considered alcohol and substance abuse to be a very important issue among their congregation. I ask that treatment programs in the community make more of an effort in reaching out to the local churches and educating the clergy. I ask that parishioners who agree with me contact their local pastor and festival organizer and tell them that you will not support a festival that serves alcohol and has gambling. The Aug. 27 letter, “Drinking, gambling not what festa was about,” stated that the highlights of his church festival were actually the homemade food, entertainment and a chance to spend time with friends. Then why offer drinking and gambling? Or is it all about the money? ARNOLD SCHULTZ Rotterdam
PATCHOGUE — A New York charity is turning down a share of a $3 million lottery jackpot because accepting it could send a bad message to gambling addicts. The Lighthouse Mission, which helps feed 3,000 hungry Long Islanders a week, had been picked to share an anonymous donor’s jackpot last month. The donor gave the winning ticket to the True North Community Church of Port Jefferson, which said it would share the money with other charities. The mission’s pastor, James Ryan, said he appreciates the offer — but his organization counsels against addictions, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. He did not say what percentage of an annual $102,225 payout through 2028 that he was turning down.
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