Cardinal briefings shut down amid security concerns

[CaptFun]

usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/06/pope-vatican-security/1968089/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomWorld-TopStories+(News±+World±+Top+Stories

The above is the most recent news I can find on Vatican security during the conclave.
I hope this zealous concern over “leaks to the press” actually IS the biggest problem the Conclave faces. In the past both Italy and the Vatican braced itself for possible terror attacks.

As recently as Christmas 2010 there seemed to be vigilance in this regard. Nevertheless the Pope was actually tackled by an unarmed woman and knocked down. Which isn’t exactly the most threatening of “terrorist attacks” but still.

thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/114277/vatican_midnight_mass_latest_terror < 2010 based on other Terror attacks in Rome

youtube.com/watch?v=NB0Qr0y6ecA < Pope Benedict assaulted 12/25/09

At other times, the mere congregation of many powerful people in one place got the Security forces ramped up. Wikipedia recalls the funeral of Pope John Paul Il as being such a time. Though that was attended by many national leaders including GW Bush, then in the midst of conducting the Iraq portion of the US’s “War on Terror”.

From Wikipedia: (2005)

On April 6—in advent of the arrival of the United States delegation aboard Air Force One, protected by a military escort—the Italian government issued a no-fly zone within a five-mile radius of Rome. The Italian government considered the President of the United States, the first sitting American president to attend a papal funeral, as the most tempting target for terrorists. Official diplomatic delegations from other nations began arriving at the same time.

• The Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Italian air force) prepared their aircraft to be launched at a moment’s notice in case of a terrorist strike.

• The Italian Army deployed anti-aircraft missiles around Vatican City, to the grudging dismay of the College of Cardinals.

• Marina Militare (Italian navy) warships were positioned along the shorelines of Italy armed with torpedoes.

*Gunboats ran up and down the rivers and waterways of Rome, including the Tiber River which flows around Vatican City.

• One thousand snipers were positioned on strategic rooftops throughout the Italian capital as Carabinieri military police task forces swept aqueducts and drains for explosives.

• Helicopters were dispatched to scan the city streets from above. Plans to close Ciampino Airport from commercial flights and divert air traffic to and from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino were finalized for the day of the Mass of Requiem and Interment of Pope John Paul II.

• Other smaller civilian commuter and recreational airports were also shut down.

Some of the same security measures that were in effect for the funeral were also in effect for the installation Mass of Pope Benedict XVI on 24 April.

• < I added these bullets (above) for ease of reading. I can find none of these measures being written about for this conclave.

Maybe the lightning strikes on St. Peter’s dome and the little earthquake at Castel Gandolfo have me on edge until a new Pope is chosen and the Cardinals all go home.

But I don’t doubt that Satan would want to “inspire” (sic) some terrorist(s) to disrupt the church at one fell swoop with a memorable act.

A certain “Catholic Prophecy” that I won’t recount right now (the St. Malachy one isn’t the one I had in mind here) – would be fulfilled in a worst case scenario. So let’s pray for a conclave that is safe for more than just “early news” from chatty Cardinals.

The Church would still go on even with a disaster, of course. We are “Popeless” presently and the work goes on.

So far though … this minor concern (as I see it) seems to be the biggest security story of the conclave. Personally I hope there is a “no fly zone” etc. again - even if who is being protected is “just” 100 some top churchmen and thousands of pilgrims. :sad_yes:

The faith of some might be shaken with such an event. And even the unshaken might wonder if God is trying to tell us something should something like that come about.

PART of the following scripture recommends security and staying awake. It mentions “the thief” who would break into the house. “The Lord” coming is not just an end of the world thing … but an “end of our lives” thing. Be Prepared the Boy Scouts might counsel too.

It is a SHAME that we have to have “Security” in this world – and to guard against evil. But it is as big a shame to be silly and sleepy about possible dangers.

If anyone has seen a better article about the CURRENT security measures being taken. Please post them. I realize Security might be quite good and being kept low key … and I hope that is the case. :coolinoff: Jesus’ counsel is always good to mind meanwhile.

**Matt 24:42 ** Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.

44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

 

[bolinstephen]

It should be the policy of the Vatican Police and the Swiss Guard not to comment on active security measures. We know what they did in the past, and there is good reason to believe that they will be doing many similar things at the present, but I don’t think we should speculate. The highest security requires the most secrecy. I’m curious what they are doing to keep the conclave safe, but if I know, the bad guys know, and I would rather not have that happen.

 

[Megan7]

usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/06/pope-vatican-security/1968089/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomWorld-TopStories+(News±+World±+Top+Stories

The above is the most recent news I can find on Vatican security during the conclave.
I hope this zealous concern over “leaks to the press” actually IS the biggest problem the Conclave faces. In the past both Italy and the Vatican braced itself for possible terror attacks.

As recently as Christmas 2010 there seemed to be vigilance in this regard. Nevertheless the Pope was actually tackled by an unarmed woman and knocked down. Which isn’t exactly the most threatening of “terrorist attacks” but still.

thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/114277/vatican_midnight_mass_latest_terror < 2010 based on other Terror attacks in Rome

youtube.com/watch?v=NB0Qr0y6ecA < Pope Benedict assaulted 12/25/09

At other times, the mere congregation of many powerful people in one place got the Security forces ramped up. Wikipedia recalls the funeral of Pope John Paul Il as being such a time. Though that was attended by many national leaders including GW Bush, then in the midst of conducting the Iraq portion of the US’s “War on Terror”.

• < I added these bullets (above) for ease of reading. I can find none of these measures being written about for this conclave.

Maybe the lightning strikes on St. Peter’s dome and the little earthquake at Castel Gandolfo have me on edge until a new Pope is chosen and the Cardinals all go home.

But I don’t doubt that Satan would want to “inspire” (sic) some terrorist(s) to disrupt the church at one fell swoop with a memorable act.

A certain “Catholic Prophecy” that I won’t recount right now (the St. Malachy one isn’t the one I had in mind here) – would be fulfilled in a worst case scenario. So let’s pray for a conclave that is safe for more than just “early news” from chatty Cardinals.

The Church would still go on even with a disaster, of course. We are “Popeless” presently and the work goes on.

So far though … this minor concern (as I see it) seems to be the biggest security story of the conclave. Personally I hope there is a “no fly zone” etc. again - even if who is being protected is “just” 100 some top churchmen and thousands of pilgrims. :sad_yes:

The faith of some might be shaken with such an event. And even the unshaken might wonder if God is trying to tell us something should something like that come about.

PART of the following scripture recommends security and staying awake. It mentions “the thief” who would break into the house. “The Lord” coming is not just an end of the world thing … but an “end of our lives” thing. Be Prepared the Boy Scouts might counsel too.

It is a SHAME that we have to have “Security” in this world – and to guard against evil. But it is as big a shame to be silly and sleepy about possible dangers.

If anyone has seen a better article about the CURRENT security measures being taken. Please post them. I realize Security might be quite good and being kept low key … and I hope that is the case. :coolinoff: Jesus’ counsel is always good to mind meanwhile.

Thanks for the post

 

[NovusAugustus]

A conclave isn’t nearly as big a deal as a papal funeral like the one for JPII. Plus, the JPII funeral was attended by tons of heads of state. The President in particular. Obama won’t be going into the conclave, thankfully, so there is less security.

 

[CaptFun]

It should be the policy of the Vatican Police and the Swiss Guard not to comment on active security measures. We know what they did in the past, and there is good reason to believe that they will be doing many similar things at the present, but I don’t think we should speculate. The highest security requires the most secrecy. I’m curious what they are doing to keep the conclave safe, but if I know, the bad guys know, and I would rather not have that happen.

Quite a good take on the matter “bolinstephen.” The “red” highlighted sentence gives me some peace on the matter. Thanks.

 

[CaptFun]

A conclave isn’t nearly as big a deal as a papal funeral like the one for JPII. Plus, the JPII funeral was attended by tons of heads of state. The President in particular. Obama won’t be going into the conclave, thankfully, so there is less security.

True enough. Yet security need not be TOO much less, IMO.

One of the articles I posted seemed to imply that some of the Cardinals were uncomfortable with the plethora of Security measures taken previously. To my mind, though, enemies of the Church might see this gathering and show of strength for Catholics as an opportunity to do some damage. A lax attitude could invite danger rather than deter it.

It’s true that there are also plenty of Bishops “staying home” and running things. But I have similar concerns when the “State of the Union Speech” in the US puts a lot of leaders in ONE place at ONE time. In THAT case security is always on high alert. Which I think it should be.

Thanks for the post - Megan 7

Thanks for yours too Megan.

 

[Lucky7]

A conclave isn’t nearly as big a deal as a papal funeral like the one for JPII. Plus, the JPII funeral was attended by tons of heads of state. The President in particular. Obama won’t be going into the conclave, thankfully, so there is less security.

 

[Digitonomy]

As far as security of information is concerned, George Weigel, John Allen, and Ed Peters were all quite negative about the logic and likely effects of the decision to stop the briefings at the Pontifical North American College.

Weigel:
Team American Shut Down

By any number of measures, it was a remarkably woodenheaded move, even by recent Vatican-communications standards. The American press conferences were the one regular venue for developing good news stories about the Church; that venue has now been closed. The leaks will continue, since the source of the leaks had nothing to do with the American press conferences; but the press conferences will not be available to correct misapprehensions, distortions, and confusions coming from the leaks. A Church that is suffering from a terrible public image involving alleged cover-ups and scandals has reinforced that image, rather than highlighting one of the few instruments at its disposal for dispelling that image…

But even this stupidity may, in time, be turned to a good end, for it underscores, unmistakably, the grave problems of Church governance that impeded the ministry of Benedict XVI. Those problems have continued apace, even accelerated, since the days immediately preceding the beginning of the Sede Vacante.

Allen:
Concerned about media leaks, American cardinals stop press briefings

The first result of the cardinals subtracting themselves from the conversation is that airtime and column inches will be filled by other voices, and the story will be driven by other narratives. Let’s take a practical example.

During a press briefing at the North American College on Monday, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago took a question about the child sex abuse scandals. In essence, he said that “zero tolerance” is now the law of the church and the next pope will be bound to follow it. That sound-bite became the day’s story, and had it not been available, media outlets probably would have spent the day recycling reactions to Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s admission of sexual misconduct.

From a strictly PR point of view, George turned a bad news day for the church into a fairly good one. Now, that sort of “save” is no longer an option.

Another consequence, and one rich with irony, is that the cardinals have expressed their irritation with the Italian papers by ensuring that they’ll [Italian press] be the ones driving this story from here on out. In the absence of getting anything directly from the cardinals themselves, the world’s media will rely even more on reports in the Italian press – some of which will be credible and accurate, but a lot of which will be bunk.

Peters:
Opportunity lost

An important opportunity to talk to an obviously interested world, on the record and in our own terms, is being lost here

 

[CaptFun]

As far as security of information is concerned, George Weigel, John Allen, and Ed Peters were all quite negative about the logic and likely effects of the decision to stop the briefings at the Pontifical North American College.

Weigel:
Team American Shut Down

Allen:
Concerned about media leaks, American cardinals stop press briefings

Peters:
Opportunity lost

Thanks for all your work Digitonomy. On the “opportunity to inform the world” front, Weigel, Allen, and Peters were quite eloquent.

On the “benefits of Conclave Privacy” side Michael Voris of ChurchMilitantTV weighed in
on the broader subject (to speak or not to speak - to the media - prior to the conclave) with this:

youtube.com/watch?v=6v8F_HXzbVM < gives the “Vatican side” of the media directive rather forcefully, citing the Vatican Information Services release, and reports from Reuters and the New York Times.

< watching, reading and learning.