Cablegate: Vatican - "Views From the Hill"

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 002022

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (VAN CLEVE), EUR/PD/PA, EUR/WST, WHA, AF,
EAP, DRL/IRF

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 56/01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: VATICAN - "VIEWS FROM THE HILL"

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 02022 01 OF 03 121845Z
REF: VATICAN 1615

1. THE APRIL 07 - 12 EDITION OF NEWS AND VIEWS FROM
VATICAN CITY.

CONTENTS:

- POPE RESPONDS TO UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX "DON'T COME" LETTER
- VATICAN RADIO CUTS AIRTIME AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
- CHANGES IN POPE'S PARTICIPATION IN EASTER EVENTS
- POPE DISBURSES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AID
- VATICAN ANNOYED BY EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CENSURE
- CABINET LEVEL APPOINTMENTS
- NEW VATICAN YEAR BOOK: INCREASE IN NUMBERS

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POPE REPLIES TO UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH
--------------------------------------------

2. VATICAN SPOKESMAN JOAQUIN NAVARRO-VALLS ANNOUNCED APRIL
10 THAT POPE JOHN PAUL II HAS WRITTEN TO UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX
PATRIARCH VLADIMIR OF KIEV. THE SPOKESMAN DID NOT DIVULGE
THE CONTENTS OF THE PRIVATE LETTER. VATICAN SOURCES SAY IT
STRESSED THE ECUMENICAL NATURE OF THE PONTIFF'S VISIT TO
UKRAINE THIS SUMMER. CARDINAL ROBERTO TUCCI, THE OUTGOING
DIRECTOR OF PAPAL TRAVEL, DELIVERED THE LETTER TO THE
ORTHODOX PATRIARCH. TUCCI ALSO DELIVERED AN INVITATION FOR
THE PATRIARCH TO ATTEND THE VATICAN'S COMMEMORATION OF THE
LAST HOURS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST (STATIONS OF THE
CROSS) AT ROME'S COLISEUM ON APRIL 13. PATRIARCH VLADIMIR
WROTE TO THE POPE JANUARY 22 ON BEHALF OF THE 42 UKRAINIAN
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PAGE 03 VATICA 02022 01 OF 03 121845Z
ORTHODOX BISHOPS WHO ARE ALIGNED WITH THE PATRIARCHATE OF
MOSCOW. HE URGED THE POPE NOT TO GO THROUGH WITH HIS PLANNED
VISIT, SAYING IT WOULD COMPLICATE ECUMENICAL RELATIONS.
WHILE THE CONTENTS OF THE PATRIARCH'S LETTER WERE MADE
PUBLIC IMMEDIATELY, THE VATICAN DID NOT OFFICIALLY RECEIVE A
COPY UNTIL WEEKS LATER AND HAS NOW RESPONDED PRIVATELY. THE
VATICAN HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT, DESPITE THE OBJECTIONS OF
THE ORTHODOX LEADERS, THE POPE WILL NOT CHANGE HIS PLANS.

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VATICAN RADIO: REDUCTION IN MEDIUM WAVE TRANSMISSIONS
--------------------------------------------- --------

3. VATICAN RADIO ANNOUNCED APRIL 10 THAT IT WILL REDUCE
THE NUMBER OF ITS MEDIUM WAVE BROADCASTS AFTER A JOINT
VATICAN-ITALIAN COMMISSION DETERMINED THAT THE STATION
VIOLATED ITALY'S STRICT LIMITS ON ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION.
PRELIMINARY MEASUREMENTS TAKEN BY A JOINT TEAM OF
TECHNICIANS FROM VATICAN RADIO AND THE ITALIAN MINISTRIES OF
HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT CONFIRMED THAT SOME TRANSMISSION
LEVELS EXCEEDED BY AS MUCH AS THREE TIMES THE ITALIAN LIMITS
ON ELECTROMAGNETIC EMISSIONS. VATICAN SPOKESMAN JOAQUIN
NAVARRO-VALLS SAID THE RADIO REDUCED SIGNAL STRENGTH BY 50
PERCENT IN FEBRUARY 2001, AND THAT CUTS IN BROADCASTING
SCHEDULES WOULD BE MADE TO BRING LEVELS INTO LINE WITH
ITALIAN STANDARDS. BROADCASTS VIA FM AND SHORT WAVE (HOW
MOST OF THE WORLD RECEIVES THE RADIO'S PROGRAMMING) WILL NOT
BE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES. VATICAN RADIO POINTED OUT THAT
ITS TRANSMISSIONS CONFORM TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION, WHICH HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY 14
OTHER EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES. ITALY PASSED MORE STRINGENT
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PAGE 04 VATICA 02022 01 OF 03 121845Z
REGULATIONS IN 1998. (COMMENT: EMBASSY CONTACTS AT VATICAN
RADIO SAY THE REDUCTION IN TRANSMISSION SCHEDULES WILL HAVE
MINIMAL IMPACT ON ITS OPERATION. THE RADIO HAS PLANNED FOR
SOME TIME TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON SATELLITE AND INTERNET
TECHNOLOGY TO PROPAGATE ITS MESSAGE. END COMMENT).

--------------------------------
CHANGES TO POPE'S EASTER PROGRAM
--------------------------------

4. THE VATICAN ANNOUNCED APRIL 10 THAT POPE JOHN PAUL II
WILL NOT PARTICIPATE FULLY IN AN APRIL 13 COMMEMORATION OF
THE LAST HOURS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST (STATIONS OF THE
CROSS) AT ROME'S COLISEUM. THE INTERNATIONALLY TELEVISED
EVENT IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE VATICAN'S EASTER WEEKEND
PROGRAM. INSTEAD OF WALKING AROUND THE COLISEUM, THE POPE
WILL REMAIN KNEELING THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY. HE WILL CARRY
A LIGHT WOODEN CROSS FOR THE FINAL FEW METERS OF THE
PROCESSION AND THEN DELIVER HIS CUSTOMARY MESSAGE AT THE
CONCLUSION OF THE SERVICE. THE CHANGE IN FORMAT IS A
CONCESSION TO THE POPE'S PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS.

--------------------------------------------
PAPAL CHARITY DISBURSES US DOLLARS 7 MILLION
--------------------------------------------

5. THE PAPAL CHARITY "COR UNUM" (ONE HEART) ANNOUNCED

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTO4907

PAGE 01 VATICA 02022 02 OF 03 121846Z
ACTION EUR-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 ACQ-00 CA-02 CIAE-00 USNW-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 DS-00 EAP-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 M-00
AC-01 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OCS-03 OES-01 OIC-02 PA-00
PM-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00
SS-00 TEST-00 T-00 USIE-00 R-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00
PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /012W
------------------DEEB60 121847Z /80
R 120925Z APR 01
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC/0000
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 VATICAN 002022

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (VAN CLEVE), EUR/PD/PA, EUR/WST, WHA, AF,
EAP, DRL/IRF

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 56/01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP VT VTPREL VTPREL

SUBJECT: VATICAN - "VIEWS FROM THE HILL"

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 02022 02 OF 03 121846Z
APRIL 9 THAT POPE JOHN PAUL HAD DONATED SOME US DOLLARS 7
MILLION DURING THE VATICAN'S FY2000. THE MONEY WAS USED FOR
EMERGENCY AID IN PLACES LIKE KOSOVO, MOZAMBIQUE AND ETHIOPIA
AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN GEORGIA, CAMEROON AND PERU AMONG
OTHERS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE FIGURE ARE TWO "CONTINENT
SPECIFIC" PROJECTS. THE "POPULORUM PROGRESSIO" FOUNDATION
FUNDS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FOR THE POOR IN LATIN AMERICA.
SOME US DOLLARS 2 MILLION WENT TO MOSTLY AGRICULTURAL
PROJECTS. THE "SAHEL FOUNDATION" TACKLES DESERTIFICATION IN
THE SUB-SAHARAN COUNTRIES OF BURKINA FASO, CAPE VERDE, CHAD,
GAMBIA, MALI, GUINEA-BISSAU, MAURITANIA, NIGER AND SENEGAL.
THE FOUNDATION SENT MORE THAN US 2 MILLION FOR SEVERAL
HUNDRED ARABLE LAND PRESERVATION PROJECTS. "COR UNUM'S"
PRESIDENT, GERMAN BORN ARCHBISHOP PAUL CORDES, DOWNPLAYED
THE MONETARY FIGURE OF THE PAPAL DONATIONS SAYING THAT THE
FOCUS SHOULD BE ON THE POPE'S GESTURES OF SOLIDARITY WITH
THE POOR AND NEEDY. THE POPE RECEIVES HIS CHARITY FUNDING
FROM AN ANNUAL WORLDWIDE COLLECTION IN CATHOLIC PARISHES AND
FROM DONATIONS FROM DIOCESES, RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS AND
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS.

---------------------------------------------
VATICAN PEEVED BY EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CENSURE
---------------------------------------------

6. THE VATICAN HAS EXPRESSED "DISAPPOINTMENT" OVER A
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IT FOR ALLEGED
INACTION IN THE FACE OF REPORTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF NUNS BY
PRIESTS. (REFTEL). THE VATICAN'S OBSERVER AT THE PARLIAMENT,
MONSIGNOR PAUL GALLAGHER, SAID THE VATICAN SHARED THE
EUROPEAN BODY'S CONCERN ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, AND IN
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 VATICA 02022 02 OF 03 121846Z
PARTICULAR CATHOLIC NUNS. HE OPINED THE RESOLUTION REFLECTED
ANTI-VATICAN SENTIMENTS IN SOME QUARTERS OVER ABORTION AND
CONTRACEPTION POLICY CONFLICTS. GALLAGHER NOTED THAT LESS
THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE PARLIAMENT'S MEMBERS TOOK PART IN THE
VOTE BUT THAT "ANY ACT OF A DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION IS TO BE
TAKEN SERIOUSLY."

----------------------------------
VATICAN CABINET LEVEL APPOINTMENTS
----------------------------------

7. THE VATICAN HAS ANNOUNCED TWO SENIOR CABINET LEVEL
APPOINTMENTS. CARDINAL CRESCENZIO SEPE IS TO TAKE THE REINS
OF THE VATICAN'S POWERFUL MISSIONARY OFFICE, THE
CONGREGATION FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF PEOPLES, AND
ARCHBISHOP ANTONIO MARIA VEGLIO BECOMES SECRETARY (NUMBER 2
POSITION) OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES.
CARDINAL SEPE WAS THE BRAINS AND THE ENERGY BEHIND THE
VATICAN'S SUCCESSFUL MILLENNIUM YEAR CELEBRATIONS. HE IS A
CHARISMATIC FIGURE AND MEDIA-SAVVY. HIS CONSIDERABLE
ORGANIZATIONAL AND FUND-RAISING ABILITY SHOULD RESULT IN THE
POWER CONGREGATION FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF PEOPLES
ASSUMING AN EVEN HIGHER PROFILE IN THE VATICAN GOVERNMENT.
(NOTE: IT IS NO SECRET THAT SEPE IS A PAPAL FAVORITE AND HAS
BEEN REWARDED FOR HIS Y2K ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WHEN PAPAL
ADVISORS HEARD THAT SEPE WAS TO BE CREATED A CARDINAL
FEBRUARY LAST, THEY COMMENTED THAT HE WAS TOO YOUNG - HE
TURNS 58 THIS YEAR. POPE JOHN PAUL II REPLIED, "I BECAME
POPE AT THE SAME AGE!" END NOTE). ARCHBISHOP VEGLIO IS
PRESENTLY THE VATICAN'S AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON AND KUWAIT,
AND THE POPE'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES ON
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 VATICA 02022 02 OF 03 121846Z
THE ARABIAN PENINSULA. HE SUCCEEDS AN AGING AND RECLUSIVE
UKRAINIAN ARCHBISHOP AS NUMBER TWO AT THE CONGREGATION FOR
THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES (NOTE: THE CONGREGATION HANDLES ALL
ISSUES RELATING TO THOSE CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOW IN COMMUNION
WITH ROME BUT USE EASTERN OR ORTHODOX-LIKE WORSHIP FORMS AND
CHURCH ORGANIZATION. END NOTE). VEGLIO'S LANGUAGE SKILLS AND
DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE (HE HAS ALSO SERVED IN EUROPE, AFRICA,
SOUTH AMERICA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION) AUGUR WELL FOR A
REVAMPING OF THE POSITION. (COMMENT: THE CONGREGATION FOR
THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES IS SET TO TAKE ON GREATER IMPORTANCE
IN THE FUTURE AS A RESULT OF THE POPE JOHN PAUL'S OUTREACH
TO ORTHODOXY FOR WHOM THE EXISTENCE OF EASTERN RITE
CATHOLICS IS A MAJOR STICKING POINT COMPLICATING EVENTUAL
UNION WITH ROME. END COMMENT).

-----------------
VATICAN YEAR BOOK
-----------------

8. POPE JOHN PAUL II WAS PRESENTED WITH HOT-OFF-THE-PRESS
COPIES ON THE VATICAN'S 2001 YEAR BOOK ON APRIL 9. THE
"ANNUARIO PONTIFICIO" LISTS ALL THE WORLDS BISHOPS, THEIR
DIOCESES, THE MEMBERS OF THE VATICAN GOVERNMENT, HEADS OF
MAJOR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES, CATHOLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
AND THE MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO THE
VATICAN. ENTRIES FOR 2001 INCLUDE: THE HOLY SEE ESTABLISHED
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH BAHRAIN AND DJIBOUTI, BRINGING THE

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTO4909

PAGE 01 VATICA 02022 03 OF 03 121847Z
ACTION EUR-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 ACQ-00 CA-02 CIAE-00 USNW-00
DODE-00 DOEE-00 DS-00 EAP-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 VC-00
H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 M-00
AC-01 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OCS-03 OES-01 OIC-02 PA-00
PM-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00
SS-00 TEST-00 T-00 USIE-00 R-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00
PMB-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /012W
------------------DEEB6D 121847Z /80
R 120925Z APR 01
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC/0000
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 VATICAN 002022

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (VAN CLEVE), EUR/PD/PA, EUR/WST, WHA, AF,
EAP, DRL/IRF

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 56/01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP PHUM EAGR ECPS SENV EAID PINR UP VT VTPREL VTPREL

SUBJECT: VATICAN - "VIEWS FROM THE HILL"

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 02022 03 OF 03 121847Z
TOTAL NUMBER OF STATES ACCREDITED AT THE VATICAN TO 174; THE
WORLD'S CATHOLIC POPULATION GREW FROM 1.02 TO 1.04 BILLION;
HALF THE WORLD'S CATHOLICS LIVE IN THE AMERICAS; 222 NEW
BISHOPS WERE APPOINTED RAISING THE TOTAL TO 4482. THE PAPER
SIZE OF THE VATICAN REFERENCE WORK WAS INCREASED FOR THE
2001 EDITION AS IT WAS BECOMING TOO BULKY. THE 2000 EDITION
RAN TO 2500 PAGES! MERANTE

UNCLASSIFIED

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2001VATICA02022 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

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