[HarleyD]

Let me say that I believe in the Vatican's right to privacy. That being said this need for secrecy isn't consistent with the biblical teachings. At least the Queen of England threw open the doors of Winsor Castle-at least for a brief moment to raise money. The only reasons I can think of why the Vatican wouldn't want people to see what's in the vaults are:

1) they have lots of riches that may prove to be embrassing for a church and someone will want to tax them for; and/or

2) there is something embrassing they've been holding on to that someone might come across. (the eighteen minute gap of Richard Nixon? :O) )

Quite honestly I don't know how they'll solve the Rabbis request to their satisfaction.

[Cvengr]

Of course they can't allow them in. If they showed them the Mennorah, they might tells others about all the arms the Catholics keep stashed away beneath all their churches. It wouldn't be an urban legand anymore, it would instead show a conspiracy,....Yeah, that's the ticket,...if they don't allow them in, it's to hide the conspiracy. And if they did show them the basement, it would only display how much further the conspiracy reaches because they still refuse to show the Mennorah,....and even if they did, it would show there had always been a conspiracy anyways,...so then what would they do?

Face it,..the gig's up,...the Vatican needs to turn over the goods now. (unless of course there really aren't any there.)