Posted on 12/28/2014 1:18:50 PM PST by marshmallow
Tonight on CBS, viewers will be treated to a special hour of “60 Minutes Presents: Inside the Vatican.” Scott Pelley will profile Pope Francis, who is surprising the world by spurning tradition; and Morley Safer will lead viewers on a tour of the Vatican Library.
The program will air at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and Pacific Time. To whet your appetite for what is certain to be a fascinating disclosure of rarely seen documents, let me tell you a little about the things I’ve seen in that hallowed space. Center> * * * * It was my great privilege to tour the Vatican Secret Archives in September 2004. At that time, the thousands of documents and historical artifacts housed therein had rarely been seen by anyone but the Pope and his Curia, and Vatican scholars. Since that time, though, most of the collections housed in the Vatican Libraries, including the “Secret Archives,” have been made available on-line for all to see.
That was not the case just a few years ago, though, and this was One Really Special Opportunity! As conference director for Legatus, the international association of Catholic CEOs, I organized a trip that was part pilgrimage, part back-lot tour; and one of the highlights for our group was a private tour of the Secret Archives with the Vatican Library’s general secretary, Dr. Luca Carboni.
In anticipation of the CBS “reveal”, I thought I’d share some of the rare exhibits on display inside the walls of Vatican City.
(Excerpt) Read more at patheos.com ...
I’m sure CBS will portray anything associated with the Vatican with absolute 21st century journalistic integrity.
In before the albino monk conspiracy...
Long overdue.
I didn’t know they let you check things out.
That library is something. It took years but we Ricardians (Richard the Third fans) found his papers that allowed him to marry his first cousin. What a collection!
Medieval popes kept increasing the prohibited degrees so they could have more power over the inbred aristocracy. Clever!
*No-one expects the Albino Monk Conspiracy!*
[You’ll have to imagine a graphic for it, none exists, the albino monks got them all!]
/ kidding
Well you get to take a look at it tonight.
I doubt medieval popes even understood what the hell was going on in England. I’ve been studying it for years and don’t understand what was going on.
I plan to.
“I’m sure CBS will portray anything associated with the Vatican with absolute 21st century journalistic integrity.”
They’re going to lie that much?
Formally established in 1475, though in fact much older, it is one of the oldest libraries in the world and contains one of the most significant collections of historical texts. It currently has 75,000 codices from throughout history,[2] as well as 1.1 million printed books, which include some 8,500 incunabula.
The Vatican Library is a research library for history, law, philosophy, science and theology. The Vatican Library is open to anyone who can document their qualifications and research needs. Photocopies for private study of pages from books published between 1801 and 1990 can be requested in person or by mail.
Those wishing to visit the online library may do so at this link.
Which begs the question: Why did they advertise it in the first place?
“Medieval popes kept increasing the prohibited degrees so they could have more power over the inbred aristocracy. Clever!”
Really? You might want to read James A. Brundage, Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995), page 356. Brundage shows that the laws regarding consanguinity were greatly lessened after 1215. Fourth cousins and beyond could marry without needing a dispensation. For two centuries before that necessary dispensations were routinely granted because many in Europe naturally married those they knew in their own towns and villages and the members of the aristocracy were all inter-related to some degree. I have no idea if Charles Donahue, Jr. covers this in his book or not.
“Which begs the question: Why did they advertise it in the first place?”
So that those who are allowed inside can find their way to it.
Don’t mention Richard III. This thread will be over-run with people convinced that he murdered his nephews.
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