Return to the Vatican - A qualified welcome

For a state as influenced by the Catholic Church, for a state where so many citizens are Catholic as this one, the closure of our embassy in the Vatican was a radical, unprecedented expression of dissatisfaction. Nevertheless it was entirely justified in the circumstances.

Time heals everything but yesterday’s announcement that the Government intends to reopen the embassy can get only a qualified welcome.

This is because the culture that led to the protest seems alive and well. Earlier this week, Spanish cardinal Fernando Sebastian Aguilar described homosexuality as a “defect” that can be cured. Days earlier, the Vatican rejected an extradition request for Archbishop Josef Wesolowski who faces child abuse charges, saying he is covered by diplomatic immunity.