Posted on 04/10/2011 1:18:45 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Turin, Italy - Germany's refusal to take in some of the thousands of mostly Tunisian migrants currently in Italy is 'unacceptable,' a top Vatican cleric said Sunday.
'I'm astonished by the position of closure adopted by my country,' German-born Cardinal Walter Kasper, said in an interview with Turin- based daily, La Stampa.
'I grew up in a Germany destroyed by the (Second World) war, but which still knew how to welcome masses of displaced persons and to give a home to entire populations who were fleeing from misery and despair,' the 78-year-old Kasper said.
The cleric's remarks come in the wake of a growing dispute between Italy and fellow European Union member states, France and Germany, over Italian plans to issue visas to the migrants to allow them to move freely across many European countries.
More than 21,000 Tunisians have arrived in Italy since the January uprising in their country, and, according to Italian officials, many of them wish to join relatives who live in France, but also Germany.
But governments in Berlin and Paris say the visas would violate European travel laws.
Kasper, who is president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and for many years headed the Vatican's interfaith dialogue initiatives under Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessor John Paul, said 'politicians' concerns over the plan are understandable'.
'But Germany's opposition to the visas is unacceptable,' he added.
'Germany should be more open and show greater participation in the current tragedy. It should play its part towards the refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants arriving in Italy after fleeing from war and poverty,' he told La Stampa.
Yes, the Vatican should get out in front of this, and offer asylum in Vatican City. Walk the walk; don’t just talk the talk.
Bingo!!
Actually the Vatican needs to learn to STFU and let people run their own countries.
And what he is saying flies in the face of official Church statements on the subject. He oughta' keep his trap shut.
Rule 1 for immigrants:
If they want to cut off your head - send them packing back home.
Ever since they opposed the Iraq War. Why didn't they support the removal of a massive tyrant like Saddam? Beats me.
Africans are to the EU what the Mexicans are for US
Hey Vatican - take them in yourselves.
But, only AFTER you’ve excommunicated all those boy-boinking priests.
(I’m an ex-Catholic - for the above and many other reasons.)
Did the Vatican offer to take in any of these refugees?
For that matter, what did the Vatican do to aid jewish refugees during WWII?
Anyone???
(crickets chirping...)
ping
It happens like clockwork. One individual Catholic speaks in his own name and then a bunch of posters castigate the entire Vatican and Catholic Church.
That’s what the MSM wants, and there’s always posters who take the bait.
More than you think.
Google is your friend.
Germany will allow thousands of tunisians in..when the Pope lay the foundation of a mosque at the vatican.
Let the Vatican be over run by muzzies then we will follow their lead,.
I posted a link to the PDF of Camp of the Saints a few days ago. Since it looks like it’s on some kooky right wing site (saw that only after the fact), I won’t post the direct link again.
Just google ‘pdf: the camp of the saints’ and it should be right on top.
And to his eminence Kasper: those refugees after WW II were not criminal muslims and Africans looking to invade and loot Europe. STFU you old dolt.
This whole episode reminds me of the New York garbage barge of a few years ago that was floating up and down the East Coast looking for a place onland to dump its garbage and none of the seaboard states wanted New York’s garbage.The rest of Western Europe is saying to Italy:
Sorry, Italy, you’re closest to Libya. You’re it.Maybe Obama will accept your barge.
I guess he's known for “hoof-in-mouth” problems.
let the vatican take them in
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