Pope Calls Opposing Migration ‘Grave Sin’… Is The Same True Of Vatican City?

This week, the Pope has made a bold statement on today’s social topic of mass immigration. It’s not just preferable to give aid to the migrants, it’s sin to oppose them.

How confident is he of that position? Enough that he’s willing to apply it to Vatican City?

“It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done knowingly and deliberately, is a grave sin,” he said during his general audience Aug. 28.

The pope began his audience in St. Peter’s Square by explaining that he would “postpone the usual catechesis” — he currently is in the middle of a series of talks about the Holy Spirit — to discuss “the people who — even at this moment — are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and security.”

“Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: Migrants should not be in those seas and in those lethal deserts,” he said. “And, unfortunately, they are there.”

But migrants cannot be deterred from those deadly crossings “through more restrictive laws, nor through the militarization of borders, nor through rejections,” the pope said. “Instead, we will achieve it by expanding safe and legal avenues for migrants, by facilitating sanctuary for those fleeing wars, violence, persecution and many calamities; we will achieve it by fostering in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity.” – Angelus News

Interesting.

Now let’s look at Vatican City’s own policy:

A Wiki article links to a PDF of Vatican City’s visa policy. Wiki’s English summary looks like this:

Although not a member of either the European Union or the European Economic Area, the Vatican City maintains an open border with Italy and is treated as part of the Schengen Area. Since the Vatican City is only accessible via Italy, entering the Vatican City is not possible without entering the Schengen Area first; hence Schengen visa rules apply de facto. The Vatican City does not allow any foreign accommodations, and the residence is restricted only to citizens. — Wiki

‘Does not allow any foreign accommodations, and the residence is restricted only to citizens’.

Oh, REALLY…?

Now, either such a policy is, in the Pope’s own words, a ‘grave sin’ or it is an admission that a country (especially a small one) has a responsibility to its own citizens that is distinct from any responsibility it might bear to its neighbors, just as a family’s responsibility to its children and those of their close relatives is different than the one it bears to other kids in the neighborhood.

The current population of  Vatican City is 427 people. That is not a misprint.

What happens if, say, seventy-five strangers — strapping young men from some completely different culture, religion, and language – decide they deserve the right to move in to Vatican City, to declare it home, and insist they have a right to have their cultural, dietary, linguistic, religious, and other needs met — at the state’s expense?

Would they be let in as permanent residents… inviting their friends and relations to come along and join them? Of course not. Even the initial wave of people would overwhelm the city and its resources. More importantly, it would forever change the dynamics of how the city-state operates, right down to its cultural identity.

Beyond that, there’s the consideration of whether the people demanding to come in harbor any ill intent. Are they connected to any group (a hostile government, say, or even a global criminal organization) that would wish harm on those who live in Vatican City?

If someone connected to a terror group or cartel demanded entry, shouldn’t they be refused entry?

Suddenly, the dynamics in this Vatican City scenario are looking a lot like the problems the rest of the world is already grappling with. But, since the Pope is couching this in explicitly moral and religious language, let’s let God have the last word here:

In Deuteronomy chapter 2, while on their way to the Promised Land, God takes the children of Israel through the land GOD has granted OTHER nations. He PERSONALLY takes credit for having granted them countries and establishing their borders.

The people of Israel are given explicit instructions on how to conduct themselves as guests when traveling through the land that belongs to other nations. They are to respect their borders, their sovereignty, and they are forbidden to take anything of value without paying a fair price for it. Not until verse 24, after forbidding Israel to lift their hand against other groups God had granted land to did He name a lawful target for them to pursue.

If God cares so much about borders that he forbids Israel to transgress them — and later spells out the VERY specific boundaries of the land He granted them as an inheritance — why would this same God now give guidance that international borders have no moral significance and can be transgressed at will?

The Pope is making the bold claim that this is ‘sin’. The burden of proof rests on him to provide evidence that his opinion is more than just the fallible opinion of a world leader who has been lobbied by wealthy and powerful influence campaigns.

Even those who affirm Papal infallibility know that is reserved for those few official statements made ex cathedra (from the chair). This statement was not one of them.

Lionhearted: Making Young Christian Males Rowdy Biblical Men

Dear young Christian male, this book you’re about to read is meant to challenge you to your very core. Its intent is not to make you feel warm and fuzzy. Some of the chapters will upset you greatly, especially if you’re a dandy who was raised with kid gloves by a helicopter mommy.

That said, in addition to the holy introspection contained herein, this book will also shoot adrenaline into your soul. It’ll push you to be a Godly risk taker and earth shaker. A veritable Rebel With A Cause just like the Captain of Our Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you want a feel-good book that tickles your ears and morphs you into a little Christian popinjay, this tome ain’t for you. You should put this book down and walk away from it immediately. However, if, young man, if … your motto is to give God your utmost for His highest, and you wanna live a life worthy of Christ’s death, then this book will be grist for your mill.

Get your copy of Lionhearted: Making Young Christian Males Rowdy Biblical Men TODAY!