8079K See Change Briefing Paper

Home , Chur, Geneva, Observer status, Vatican City

CatholicCatholicTheThe ChurchChurch atat thetheUnitedUnited NationsNations

Church or ?State? The Catholic It is the world’s smallest “city-state” at 108.7 acres. It houses the infrastructure of the Roman church at the UN: Catholic church: the pope’s palace, St. Peter’s A religion or a state? Basilica, offices and administrative services and libraries and archives.2 Vatican City was created Many questions have been raised about the role in 1929 under a treaty signed between Benito of the Catholic church at the United Nations Mussolini and Pietro Cardinale Gasparri, as a result of its high-profile and controversial secretary of state to Pope Pius XI.The Lateran role at international conferences. Participating Treaty was designed to compensate the pope as a full-fledged state actor in these for the 1870 annexation of the Papal States, conferences, the Holy See often goes against which consisted of 17,218 square miles in the overwhelming consensus of member states central Italy, and to guarantee the “indisputable “The Holy See is and seeks provisions in international documents sovereignty” of the Holy See by granting it a TheThe “See“See Change”Change” that would limit the health and rights of all not a state, but is physical territory.3 According to Archbishop Campaign people, but especially of women. How did the accepted as being Campaign Hyginus Eugene Cardinale, a former Vatican Holy See, the government of the Roman on the same footing Hundreds of organizations and thousands of people diplomat who wrote the authoritative work on Catholic church, come to enjoy this privileged as a state.” the Holy See and international relations, the worldwide have initiated a campaign calling for an position—held by no other religion—that gives Holy See “exists and operates within the official review of the status of the Roman Catholic it a voice at international conferences on some — Hyginus Eugene international community as the juridical church at the United Nations.We are concerned that of the most sensitive issues of our time? Is personification of the Church.”4 Cardinale, Titular there a difference between the Holy See, the church has flown in under the UN’s radar by Vatican City and the Roman Catholic church? The Roman Catholic church is a religious Archbishop of Nepte, calling itself the Holy See, and have called on the In the context of the United Nations, is the society with some 1 billion adherents Apostolic Nuncio to secretary-general to review the church’s current status Holy See a state or a religion? worldwide, with the pope at its head. as a Non-member State Permanent Observer.We Belgium, Luxembourg and believe that the Holy See, the government of the The Holy See The Holy See,Vatican the European Community, in Roman Catholic church, should participate in the City,the Roman at the UN The Holy See and the UN in the same way that the world’s other religions Catholic church: The Holy See is a Non-member State do—as a nongovernmental organization. What is the difference? Permanent Observer at the United Nations. International Order, 1976. This is a rarely used designation shared only by The Holy See is the spiritual and temporal Switzerland. It gives its holder some of the government of the Roman Catholic church. It privileges of a state at the UN, such as being consists of the pope, the Roman Curia—the able to speak and vote at UN conferences. No various departments and institutes that assist the other religion is granted this elevated status. pope in running the church—and the College Other religions participate in the UN like of Cardinals.The Holy See is also the most other non-state entities—as government of Vatican City.1 nongovernmental organizations. Vatican City is the temporal residence of both The Holy See owes its participation in the UN the Holy See and the Roman Catholic church. to an accident of history—the membership of 1 The Catholic It is the world’s smallest “city-state” at 108.7 acres. It houses the infrastructure of the Roman church at the UN: Catholic church: the pope’s palace, St. Peter’s A religion or a state? Basilica, offices and administrative services and libraries and archives.2 Vatican City was created Many questions have been raised about the role in 1929 under a treaty signed between Benito of the Catholic church at the United Nations Mussolini and Pietro Cardinale Gasparri, as a result of its high-profile and controversial secretary of state to Pope Pius XI.The Lateran role at international conferences. Participating Treaty was designed to compensate the pope as a full-fledged state actor in these for the 1870 annexation of the Papal States, conferences, the Holy See often goes against which consisted of 17,218 square miles in the overwhelming consensus of member states central Italy, and to guarantee the “indisputable “The Holy See is and seeks provisions in international documents sovereignty” of the Holy See by granting it a TheThe “See“See Change”Change” that would limit the health and rights of all not a state, but is physical territory.3 According to Archbishop Campaign people, but especially of women. How did the accepted as being Campaign Hyginus Eugene Cardinale, a former Vatican Holy See, the government of the Roman on the same footing Hundreds of organizations and thousands of people diplomat who wrote the authoritative work on Catholic church, come to enjoy this privileged as a state.” the Holy See and international relations, the worldwide have initiated a campaign calling for an position—held by no other religion—that gives Holy See “exists and operates within the official review of the status of the Roman Catholic it a voice at international conferences on some — Hyginus Eugene international community as the juridical church at the United Nations.We are concerned that of the most sensitive issues of our time? Is personification of the Church.”4 Cardinale, Titular there a difference between the Holy See, the church has flown in under the UN’s radar by Vatican City and the Roman Catholic church? The Roman Catholic church is a religious Archbishop of Nepte, calling itself the Holy See, and have called on the In the context of the United Nations, is the society with some 1 billion adherents Apostolic Nuncio to secretary-general to review the church’s current status Holy See a state or a religion? worldwide, with the pope at its head. as a Non-member State Permanent Observer.We Belgium, Luxembourg and believe that the Holy See, the government of the The Holy See The Holy See,Vatican the European Community, in Roman Catholic church, should participate in the City,the Roman at the UN The Holy See and the UN in the same way that the world’s other religions Catholic church: The Holy See is a Non-member State do—as a nongovernmental organization. What is the difference? Permanent Observer at the United Nations. International Order, 1976. This is a rarely used designation shared only by The Holy See is the spiritual and temporal Switzerland. It gives its holder some of the government of the Roman Catholic church. It privileges of a state at the UN, such as being consists of the pope, the Roman Curia—the able to speak and vote at UN conferences. No various departments and institutes that assist the other religion is granted this elevated status. pope in running the church—and the College Other religions participate in the UN like of Cardinals.The Holy See is also the most other non-state entities—as government of Vatican City.1 nongovernmental organizations. Vatican City is the temporal residence of both The Holy See owes its participation in the UN the Holy See and the Roman Catholic church. to an accident of history—the membership of 1 Vatican City in the Universal Postal Union and criteria he applied in deciding whether to The Holy See’s membership in UN agencies What does Non- the International Telecommunication Union. accept UN observers:“I have been following such as the International Atomic Energy The Vatican is a member of these unions one line which seems to be the only possible Agency—which allowed it to qualify as a Non- member State “For a long time the because it owns postal and radio services. Soon one, that is, to accept observers when such an member State Permanent Observer—was also Permanent Observer church was seated after its formation, the UN invited these arrangement is proposed in the cases where the not subject to a vote by the general conference. status mean? at the king’s table. organizations and their members to attend UN country in question is recognized Contrary to some claims, the Holy See was The United Nations recognizes five types of Until the last sessions on an ad hoc basis, which the Vatican diplomatically in this form or that form by a not invited to participate in the UN. Pope 5 8 permanent observers: non-member states (The century, it also had did. Representatives of the Vatican and the majority of UN members.” John Paul II confirmed that the Holy See Holy See and Switzerland); entities with a a temporal state. Holy See began attending sessions of the UN Non-member states obtain Permanent Observer invited itself into the UN when he noted, standing invitation to participate as observers in Since it has been General Assembly, the World Health status by notifying the UN secretary-general “Pope Paul VI initiated the formal the sessions and work of the General Assembly Organization and the UN Educational, that they have appointed an observer. Unlike participation of the Holy See in the United freed from this ‘ball and maintaining permanent observer missions Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1951 as other entities such as NGOs, they do not Nations Organization, offering the and chain,’ the 6 (Palestine is the only entity in this category); ad hoc observers. In 1956, the Holy See was require an invitation from the General Assembly cooperation of the Church’s spiritual and church has more intergovernmental organizations with a standing elected a member of the UN Economic and to send a permanent observer.9 The secretary- humanitarian expertise.”There is no evidence “We often hear ‘the invitation to participate as observers in the easily been able to Social Council and also became a full member general acknowledges the appointment if that the UN offered the Holy See Church is not a 7 sessions and work of the General Assembly and engage in free of the International Atomic Energy Agency. accepted.According to the United Nations membership or sought out the Holy See as a democracy.’ That’s maintaining permanent offices (11 reflection upon The Catholic church was active as an ad-hoc Office of Legal Affairs,“in deciding whether or member state. In fact, evidence is to the true, because it’s organizations, including the European and be in full and at times formal observer to various UN not to afford certain facilities to a Permanent contrary. In addition to the historic reasons Community and the Organization of the not a country or bodies between 1948 and 1964, usually at its Observer, it has been the policy of the cited above, the Holy See is today not eligible support of the Islamic Conference); other entities having a society.” own request. In 1957, as a result of confusion organization to make such facilities available for full state status at the UN because it can promotion of human received a standing invitation to participate as regarding the interchangeable use of the terms only to those appointed by Non-member States not carry out the security functions of the rights, cultural observers in the sessions and work of the — Cardinal Francis George, Holy See and Vatican City, the secretary-general at the UN which are full members of one or UN charter due to its neutrality. General Assembly and maintaining permanent cooperation, of the UN and the Holy See reached an more specialized agencies and are generally Archbishop of Chicago, It was the Holy See that initiated requests to be offices at UN headquarters (the International peaceful agreement that relations should henceforth be recognized by members of the United recognized as a state in international bodies. Committee of the Red Cross, the International coexistence, and Inside the Vatican, understood as being between the UN and the Nations.”10 The Holy See meets this first The Holy See wished to be admitted to the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent the primacy of the Holy See. condition through its membership in UN June/July 1999. League of Nations, the precursor to the UN, Societies and the Soverign Military Order of person…Thus was organizations such as the International Atomic In 1964, following the protocol for establishing and reportedly “regretted its exclusion” due to Malta); and specialized agencies and related Energy Agency, but it is questionable if it met born the true and a permanent observer mission at the UN, the concerns about its statehood status and the organizations maintaining liaison offices at UN the second criteria in 1964, the year it proper social Holy See informed UN Secretary-General U possibility that it would have undue influence headquarters (11 agencies including the World

appointed an observer. In 1959, only 14 states 13 doctrine of the Thant that it had dispatched a permanent on the votes of Catholic member states. In Bank, the World Health Organization and the out of the 82 UN members at the time had observer to the UN’s New York headquarters. October of 1944, the pope inquired of US International Monetary Fund). church.” 11 U Thant accepted the Vatican’s designation and formal relations with the Vatican. Even by Secretary of State Cordell Hull what the While not required by UN procedure, Non- granted the Holy See permanent observer 1985, only 53 countries had diplomatic conditions of membership would be for the — Monsignor Celestino 12 member State Permanent Observers are status.The bar was not set very high for U relations with the Holy See. (At that time future United Nations. Hull replied that “the normally invited to attend UN conferences and Migliore, of the Holy See’s Thant’s acceptance of the Holy See’s there were 159 UN member states.) The Vatican would not be capable of fulfilling all the participate in these conferences with “all the United States did not formalize relations with permanent observer status. Because permanent responsibilities of membership.”14 Foreign Ministry, in a privileges of a state,” including the right to observers are not formally recognized in the the Holy See until 1984. vote.15 Other types of observers do not have this recent speech. UN charter, the protocol for their admission No vote was ever taken on the Holy See’s privilege.They may participate in UN developed by custom. U Thant noted of the presence at the UN by the General Assembly. 2 3 Vatican City in the Universal Postal Union and criteria he applied in deciding whether to The Holy See’s membership in UN agencies What does Non- the International Telecommunication Union. accept UN observers:“I have been following such as the International Atomic Energy The Vatican is a member of these unions one line which seems to be the only possible Agency—which allowed it to qualify as a Non- member State “For a long time the because it owns postal and radio services. Soon one, that is, to accept observers when such an member State Permanent Observer—was also Permanent Observer church was seated after its formation, the UN invited these arrangement is proposed in the cases where the not subject to a vote by the general conference. status mean? at the king’s table. organizations and their members to attend UN country in question is recognized Contrary to some claims, the Holy See was The United Nations recognizes five types of Until the last sessions on an ad hoc basis, which the Vatican diplomatically in this form or that form by a not invited to participate in the UN. Pope 5 8 permanent observers: non-member states (The century, it also had did. Representatives of the Vatican and the majority of UN members.” John Paul II confirmed that the Holy See Holy See and Switzerland); entities with a a temporal state. Holy See began attending sessions of the UN Non-member states obtain Permanent Observer invited itself into the UN when he noted, standing invitation to participate as observers in Since it has been General Assembly, the World Health status by notifying the UN secretary-general “Pope Paul VI initiated the formal the sessions and work of the General Assembly Organization and the UN Educational, that they have appointed an observer. Unlike participation of the Holy See in the United freed from this ‘ball and maintaining permanent observer missions Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1951 as other entities such as NGOs, they do not Nations Organization, offering the and chain,’ the 6 (Palestine is the only entity in this category); ad hoc observers. In 1956, the Holy See was require an invitation from the General Assembly cooperation of the Church’s spiritual and church has more intergovernmental organizations with a standing elected a member of the UN Economic and to send a permanent observer.9 The secretary- humanitarian expertise.”There is no evidence “We often hear ‘the invitation to participate as observers in the easily been able to Social Council and also became a full member general acknowledges the appointment if that the UN offered the Holy See Church is not a 7 sessions and work of the General Assembly and engage in free of the International Atomic Energy Agency. accepted.According to the United Nations membership or sought out the Holy See as a democracy.’ That’s maintaining permanent offices (11 reflection upon The Catholic church was active as an ad-hoc Office of Legal Affairs,“in deciding whether or member state. In fact, evidence is to the true, because it’s organizations, including the European and be in full and at times formal observer to various UN not to afford certain facilities to a Permanent contrary. In addition to the historic reasons Community and the Organization of the not a country or bodies between 1948 and 1964, usually at its Observer, it has been the policy of the cited above, the Holy See is today not eligible support of the Islamic Conference); other entities having a society.” own request. In 1957, as a result of confusion organization to make such facilities available for full state status at the UN because it can promotion of human received a standing invitation to participate as regarding the interchangeable use of the terms only to those appointed by Non-member States not carry out the security functions of the rights, cultural observers in the sessions and work of the — Cardinal Francis George, Holy See and Vatican City, the secretary-general at the UN which are full members of one or UN charter due to its neutrality. General Assembly and maintaining permanent cooperation, of the UN and the Holy See reached an more specialized agencies and are generally Archbishop of Chicago, It was the Holy See that initiated requests to be offices at UN headquarters (the International peaceful agreement that relations should henceforth be recognized by members of the United recognized as a state in international bodies. Committee of the Red Cross, the International coexistence, and Inside the Vatican, understood as being between the UN and the Nations.”10 The Holy See meets this first The Holy See wished to be admitted to the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent the primacy of the Holy See. condition through its membership in UN June/July 1999. League of Nations, the precursor to the UN, Societies and the Soverign Military Order of person…Thus was organizations such as the International Atomic In 1964, following the protocol for establishing and reportedly “regretted its exclusion” due to Malta); and specialized agencies and related Energy Agency, but it is questionable if it met born the true and a permanent observer mission at the UN, the concerns about its statehood status and the organizations maintaining liaison offices at UN the second criteria in 1964, the year it proper social Holy See informed UN Secretary-General U possibility that it would have undue influence headquarters (11 agencies including the World

but may not vote or participate in the other The Holy See is very active in the UN beyond government of the Roman Catholic church. Campaign Clearly the Holy See—the government of the formal aspects of the conference. Because UN the special conferences held every few years. In Because the Holy See is the seat of the Vatican’s Roman Catholic church—is not a state.As such, conferences operate on consensus, the ability to addition to sending a permanent observer to diplomatic activity and has historically it should not participate in the UN as a state, but disagree with the majority consensus has UN headquarters in New York,it sends maintained diplomatic relations with a number as a religion. Hundreds of organizations and significant power.The official documents of permanent observers to the UN offices in of nations—sending and receiving diplomats, “As a full member thousands of people worldwide have initiated a recent UN conferences on women and Geneva and Vienna,as well as to the UN entering into treaties—it is recognized as being population and development are replete with an international personality, but this is not campaign to change the status of the Roman of the international “Of course the Organization for Industrial Development; the Catholic church at the United Nations. community, the “objections” by the Vatican to the majority UN Food and Agricultural Organization; the synonymous with statehood. Granting the Holy nature and aims of Concerned that the church has flown in under consensus. For instance, the Holy See insisted on UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural See state status is comparable to calling the US Holy See finds itself the spiritual mission the UN’s radar by calling itself the Holy See, expressing reservations to the Beijing Platform Organization; the Organization of American Congress a state.The Holy See also clearly does in a very particular of the Apostolic See they have called on the secretary-general to for Action, the final report of the 1995 Beijing States; the Office of the UN High not meet the established international legal situation, because it and the church Conference on Women. It took issue with the criteria for statehood, which include a defined review the church’s current status as a Non- Commissioner for Refugees; the World Health is spiritual in nature. make their concepts of “women’s right to control their territory and permanent citizenry.The Holy member State Permanent Observer.They believe Organization; the International Labor Its authority—which that the Holy See, the government of the participation in sexuality” and “women’s right to control…their Organization and the World Organization of See has no defined territory—as noted, it is a fertility,” asserting that these rights should be government, not a territorial entity.As such, it Roman Catholic church, should participate in is religious and not the tasks and Tourism.The Holy See also sends representatives understood to refer only to “the responsible use also does not have a citizenry. the UN in the same way that the world’s other political—extends activities of the to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the religions do—as a nongovernmental of sexuality within marriage.”The Holy See also World Organization of Commerce, the Council Even the temporal location of the Holy See, over one billion United Nations organization. condemned “family planning” as “morally of Europe, the Organization for Security and Vatican City, does not have a permanent persons scattered organization very unacceptable” and disassociated itself with the Co-operation in Europe, the International citizenry.While some people do live and work throughout the different from that consensus on the entire section on health, saying Institute for the Unification of Private Law, and there, residents hold citizenship only as long as Why is it time for a world…The real and of the states, which it gave “totally unbalanced attention to sexual 18 the International Committee of Military they are employed at the Vatican. There are “See Change”? only realm of the are communities in and reproductive health.” Medicine.The Holy See is also a member of the few families in Vatican City—the majority of The Roman Catholic church has made Holy See is the political and Given its role at the UN, these official UN Economic and Social Council, the World citizens are cardinals, prelates and clerics.About significant contributions to the well-being of the realm of temporal sense.” objections, entered formally into the final Trade Organization and the United Nations 100 women are citizens of the Vatican, mostly Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the conscience.” report of the conference, serve to weaken Industrial Development Organization. nuns, and it has been estimated that there are world through its emphasis on social and — Pope John Paul II, support for the conclusions of the majority. only about ten children in residence at any economic justice, particularly for those in — From the preamble to an Moreover, they represent sectarian religious given time.19 Vatican City does not issue address to the General Is the Holy See a developing nations.At the same time, its actions positions, not governmental public policy passports to its residents—only the Holy See International Atomic Energy have been detrimental to many women and positions.This is exactly what the Vatican and its country? issues passports and even then only to its Assembly, 1979. men. From decrying emergency contraception The crux of the Holy See’s special status in the Agency agreement signed handful of allies—nations such as Libya and the diplomatic corps.20 Vatican City has no elected for women who had been raped in Kosovo to UN is its claim that its possession of a territorial Sudan that do not support full human rights for officials—it is governed by the Holy See with by the Holy See. burning boxes of condoms as AIDS ravages women—intend. entity—tiny Vatican City—qualifies it as a the pope as the sovereign—and no true Africa, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic nation-state.The question of the Vatican’s municipal infrastructure. Italy carries out many Non-member State Permanent Observers have church has allowed outdated doctrinal concerns statehood has been debated without definitive of the municipal functions of Vatican City. It other privileges not accorded to lesser types of to take priority over the lives of real people. conclusion in diplomatic circles for most of the provides the police force, punishes crimes observers, including the right to place items on Nowhere is that more evident than in the UN, century. However, it is not the Vatican that is a committed in the city and maintains the water the provisional agenda of the General Assembly where the Holy See insists on foisting its member of the UN, but the Holy See.The and railway systems. and greater access to the plenary sessions of the limited and largely rejected view of gender, 4 5 sexuality and reproductive health on a world prevent these deaths.As a result of its special The following is the text to which hundreds of intent on creating a more progressive personal status, the Holy See has a powerful voice in organizations and tens of thousands of ethic that is respectful of the common good. these decisions.At the recent world conferences individuals from over 80 countries have put “It will be clear to While the Holy See has the right to a voice at on women and population and development, their names: all, we hope, the Holy See successfully led the effort to block the United Nations, that voice should only be that the pope really the inclusion of safe, legal abortion in the list of Dear Secretary- as loud as those of the world’s other religions. has only the NGO status would allow the Holy See to basic reproductive rights for women. It uses its General Annan, territorial space voice to limit access to family planning, safe continue to advocate for its positions, but As a UN Non-member State Permanent abortion—even in countries where abortion is indispensable for without the benefit of a special platform for its Observer, the Holy See enjoys unique status, legal—and emergency contraception—even for the exercise of a views. Seeking NGO status for the Holy See is often as a voting partner, with countries at UN “[T]he Vatican City women who have been raped as an act of war. spiritual power not anti-Catholic—indeed, it would protect the conferences. Granting governmental privileges State was not Successfully challenging the Holy See’s status rights of all religions at the UN and the right of to what is in reality a religious body is entrusted to men. established with an will save women’s lives. the institutional Catholic church to be heard questionable statecraft.While the Holy See— We do not hesitate autonomous and appreciated as a religious body, not as a Each year, 5.8 million people become HIV the government of the Roman Catholic to say that we are purpose, but as a quasi-governmental entity. positive and 2.5 million die from AIDS. church—has made positive contributions glad that this is so; Within the UN, the Roman Catholic church means to support a With so many big problems in the world, it through the United Nations to peace and we are pleased to attempts to block international policy decisions justice, this should not be used to justify religious body.” may seem trivial to worry about the status of see our territorial the Roman Catholic church at the UN. Does it that would make condom education and use a granting the status of a state to a religious realm reduced to — Hyginus Eugene really matter that the UN has given it, alone major tool in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.The institution. Roman Catholic hierarchy has repeatedly such minute among all religions, the status of a Non- Governmental participation in the UN should Cardinale, Titular Archbishop condemned the use of condoms to prevent proportions that it member State Permanent Observer? What harm be reserved for actual states.The world’s AIDS—one African bishop even went so far as may and must itself of Nepte, Apostolic Nuncio is done by honoring this important religious religions have been well represented through to claim that condoms cause AIDS. Successfully institution with this special status? nongovernmental organization status.With be considered to Belgium, Luxembourg challenging the Holy See’s status will assist in Religious freedom is endangered. NGO status, the Roman Catholic church spiritualized by the reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. and the European Every other religion with representation at the would be able to continue its participation in immense, sublime Supporters of The “See Change” Campaign the UN—like the World Council of Community, in The Holy UN, like the World Council of Churches, is and truly divine believe that it is time to draw a line in the sand. rightly restricted to a nongovernmental Churches—without ambiguity or privilege.We spiritual power See and the International While the Roman Catholic church has done call on you to open an official review of the organization affiliation.At a time when religious which it is destined fundamentalism threatens pluralism, tolerance, many good things at the United Nations, the Holy See’s status at the UN. Order, 1976. to support and and women’s human rights, the UN, while UN urgently needs to reconsider the Holy See’s serve.” maintaining and welcoming religious voices, “state” status and open an official review of that must maintain a clear separation between status.A UN review of the Holy See’s “state” — Pope Pius XI, in a religious beliefs and international public policy. status would send a strong and clear message Successfully challenging the Holy See’s status that it is unacceptable for religions to speech in Rome following will ensure that only countries decide policy. masquerade as states and impose their views on secular and non-secular states alike. the signing of the Each year, 600,000 women die needlessly during pregnancy and childbirth. Lateran Treaty. The UN increasingly makes decisions that will 67 sexuality and reproductive health on a world prevent these deaths.As a result of its special The following is the text to which hundreds of intent on creating a more progressive personal status, the Holy See has a powerful voice in organizations and tens of thousands of ethic that is respectful of the common good. these decisions.At the recent world conferences individuals from over 80 countries have put “It will be clear to While the Holy See has the right to a voice at on women and population and development, their names: all, we hope, the Holy See successfully led the effort to block the United Nations, that voice should only be that the pope really the inclusion of safe, legal abortion in the list of Dear Secretary- as loud as those of the world’s other religions. has only the NGO status would allow the Holy See to basic reproductive rights for women. It uses its General Annan, territorial space voice to limit access to family planning, safe continue to advocate for its positions, but As a UN Non-member State Permanent abortion—even in countries where abortion is indispensable for without the benefit of a special platform for its Observer, the Holy See enjoys unique status, legal—and emergency contraception—even for the exercise of a views. Seeking NGO status for the Holy See is often as a voting partner, with countries at UN “[T]he Vatican City women who have been raped as an act of war. spiritual power not anti-Catholic—indeed, it would protect the conferences. Granting governmental privileges State was not Successfully challenging the Holy See’s status rights of all religions at the UN and the right of to what is in reality a religious body is entrusted to men. established with an will save women’s lives. the institutional Catholic church to be heard questionable statecraft.While the Holy See— We do not hesitate autonomous and appreciated as a religious body, not as a Each year, 5.8 million people become HIV the government of the Roman Catholic to say that we are purpose, but as a quasi-governmental entity. positive and 2.5 million die from AIDS. church—has made positive contributions glad that this is so; Within the UN, the Roman Catholic church means to support a With so many big problems in the world, it through the United Nations to peace and we are pleased to attempts to block international policy decisions justice, this should not be used to justify religious body.” may seem trivial to worry about the status of see our territorial the Roman Catholic church at the UN. Does it that would make condom education and use a granting the status of a state to a religious realm reduced to — Hyginus Eugene really matter that the UN has given it, alone major tool in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.The institution. Roman Catholic hierarchy has repeatedly such minute among all religions, the status of a Non- Governmental participation in the UN should Cardinale, Titular Archbishop condemned the use of condoms to prevent proportions that it member State Permanent Observer? What harm be reserved for actual states.The world’s AIDS—one African bishop even went so far as may and must itself of Nepte, Apostolic Nuncio is done by honoring this important religious religions have been well represented through to claim that condoms cause AIDS. Successfully institution with this special status? nongovernmental organization status.With be considered to Belgium, Luxembourg challenging the Holy See’s status will assist in Religious freedom is endangered. NGO status, the Roman Catholic church spiritualized by the reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. and the European Every other religion with representation at the would be able to continue its participation in immense, sublime Supporters of The “See Change” Campaign the UN—like the World Council of Community, in The Holy UN, like the World Council of Churches, is and truly divine believe that it is time to draw a line in the sand. rightly restricted to a nongovernmental Churches—without ambiguity or privilege.We spiritual power See and the International While the Roman Catholic church has done call on you to open an official review of the organization affiliation.At a time when religious which it is destined fundamentalism threatens pluralism, tolerance, many good things at the United Nations, the Holy See’s status at the UN. Order, 1976. to support and and women’s human rights, the UN, while UN urgently needs to reconsider the Holy See’s serve.” maintaining and welcoming religious voices, “state” status and open an official review of that must maintain a clear separation between status.A UN review of the Holy See’s “state” — Pope Pius XI, in a religious beliefs and international public policy. status would send a strong and clear message Successfully challenging the Holy See’s status that it is unacceptable for religions to speech in Rome following will ensure that only countries decide policy. masquerade as states and impose their views on secular and non-secular states alike. the signing of the Each year, 600,000 women die needlessly during pregnancy and childbirth. Lateran Treaty. The UN increasingly makes decisions that will 67 Endnotes 17 “The Holy See at United Nations Chronology of the observer.The Holy See appointed its first permanent Conferences: State or Church?”Yasmin observer to the UN Educational, Scientific and 1 The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1986. Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Abdullah, Columbia Law Review, 1996. Holy See’s Entrance 2 The Catholic Almanac, 2000. 1956: The Holy See participated in the founding 18 The Law on the Rights of Citizenship and into the UN conference of the International Atomic Energy 3 The Holy See and the International Order, Sojourn,Vatican City. Prior to 1870: The pope was head of a defined Agency (IAEA) as a full member.This status was not Hyginus Eugene Cardinale, pp. 101, 124. subject to a vote by the general conference.The Holy 19 Inside the Vatican, Nov. 1995. territory known as the Papal States which consisted See was elected a member of the UN Economic and 4 The Holy See and the International Order, of 17, 218 square miles in central Italy. 20 Oral communication with US Vatican Social Council (ECOSOC). Cardinale, p. 83. 1870: Italy annexed the Papal States, which resulted in Embassy,Aug. 9, 2000. the pope’s loss of the territory except for the Vatican Oct. 16-19, 1957: Confusion regarding the 5 The Holy See and the International Order, and Lateran Palaces and the Villa of Castel Gandolfo. interchangeable use of the terms Holy See and Vatican Cardinale, p. 256. City prompted an exchange of notes between the 1920s: The Holy See sought to become a member of Holy See and the secretary-general of the UN.This 6 the League of Nations, but was turned down because “Notes on the Legal Status of the Vatican City resulted in an agreement that relations should of questions about its state status. and Holy See,”William Schabas, 1994. henceforth be understood as being between the Feb. 11, 1929: The Lateran Treaty was signed between United Nations and the Holy See. (At this time the 7 The Holy See and the International Order, Benito Mussolini and Pietro Cardinale Gasparri, Holy See was not a permanent observer.) Cardinale, p. 233. creating Vatican City as compensation for the Papal March 21, 1964: UN Secretary-General U Thant 8 States. UN press release,April 21, 1960. received a letter from the secretary of state of the June 1, 1929: Vatican City was admitted to the World Roman Curia at Vatican City stating that the Holy 9 The Status of Observers in the United Nations, Telegraph Union.Vatican City joined the Universal See will have a permanent observer at UN R. G. Sybesma-Knol, 1981. Postal Union by becoming a State Party of the headquarters in New York.Pope Paul VI dispatched 10 “The Question of Observer Status in the Stockholm Postal Convention of 1924. Rev. Msgr.Alberto Giovannetti to New York as the United Nations:The Case of Non-Member 1931: Vatican City joined the Radiotelegraph Service. first permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN. States,” United Nations Public Information 1932: The World Telegraph Union and the April 1964: UN Secretary-General U Thant accepted the Holy See’s designation of itself as a permanent Office, Feb. 4, 2000. Radiotelegraph Service merged to create the International Telecommunication Union;Vatican City observer.There appeared to be no involvement of the 11 The Status of Observers in the United Nations, remained a member. It is by membership in this union General Assembly or the UN Security Council in the R. G. Sybesma-Knol, 1981. and the postal union that Vatican City originally decision. gained admission into the UN as an observer. Feb. 1, 1967: Pope Paul VI named a permanent 12 “Church or State?,” Center for Reproductive observer to the UN’s Geneva Office, as well as to the Law and Policy, 1995. 1944: The Holy See made tentative inquiries to the US Secretary of State about the eligibility of Vatican Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 13 Fragmentation and the International Relations of City to become a member of the UN and was told 1967: The Holy See named permanent observers to MicroStates, Jorri Duursma, p. 399. that membership was not appropriate. the WHO, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the UN Conference on Trade and 14 The Creation of States in International Law, 1948: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) became the first specialized UN agency to grant the Development (UNCTAD).The United Nations James Crawford, 1979, pp. 152-161. Holy See/Vatican City* the status of permanent Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) was 15 “The Holy See at United Nations observer to its conferences. FAO explicitly noted that established and the Holy See joined as a full member. Conferences: State or Church?”Yasmin this status had been granted because of the special 1978: The Holy See became a permanent observer to religious nature of the Holy See/Vatican City. Abdullah, Columbia Law Review, 1996. the Organization of American States. 1951: A representative of the Vatican Migration 1997 : The Holy See became a member of the World 16 The Status of Observers in the United Nations, Bureau was accredited to the International Relief Trade Organization. R. G. Sybesma-Knol, 1981. Organization.The Holy See/Vatican City began attending meetings of the UN General Assembly and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an ad hoc

*Prior to October 1957, the terms Holy See 89and Vatican City were often used interchangeably. Endnotes 17 “The Holy See at United Nations Chronology of the observer.The Holy See appointed its first permanent Conferences: State or Church?”Yasmin observer to the UN Educational, Scientific and 1 The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1986. Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Abdullah, Columbia Law Review, 1996. Holy See’s Entrance 2 The Catholic Almanac, 2000. 1956: The Holy See participated in the founding 18 The Law on the Rights of Citizenship and into the UN conference of the International Atomic Energy 3 The Holy See and the International Order, Sojourn,Vatican City. Prior to 1870: The pope was head of a defined Agency (IAEA) as a full member.This status was not Hyginus Eugene Cardinale, pp. 101, 124. subject to a vote by the general conference.The Holy 19 Inside the Vatican, Nov. 1995. territory known as the Papal States which consisted See was elected a member of the UN Economic and 4 The Holy See and the International Order, of 17, 218 square miles in central Italy. 20 Oral communication with US Vatican Social Council (ECOSOC). Cardinale, p. 83. 1870: Italy annexed the Papal States, which resulted in Embassy,Aug. 9, 2000. the pope’s loss of the territory except for the Vatican Oct. 16-19, 1957: Confusion regarding the 5 The Holy See and the International Order, and Lateran Palaces and the Villa of Castel Gandolfo. interchangeable use of the terms Holy See and Vatican Cardinale, p. 256. City prompted an exchange of notes between the 1920s: The Holy See sought to become a member of Holy See and the secretary-general of the UN.This 6 the League of Nations, but was turned down because “Notes on the Legal Status of the Vatican City resulted in an agreement that relations should of questions about its state status. and Holy See,”William Schabas, 1994. henceforth be understood as being between the Feb. 11, 1929: The Lateran Treaty was signed between United Nations and the Holy See. (At this time the 7 The Holy See and the International Order, Benito Mussolini and Pietro Cardinale Gasparri, Holy See was not a permanent observer.) Cardinale, p. 233. creating Vatican City as compensation for the Papal March 21, 1964: UN Secretary-General U Thant 8 States. UN press release,April 21, 1960. received a letter from the secretary of state of the June 1, 1929: Vatican City was admitted to the World Roman Curia at Vatican City stating that the Holy 9 The Status of Observers in the United Nations, Telegraph Union.Vatican City joined the Universal See will have a permanent observer at UN R. G. Sybesma-Knol, 1981. Postal Union by becoming a State Party of the headquarters in New York.Pope Paul VI dispatched 10 “The Question of Observer Status in the Stockholm Postal Convention of 1924. Rev. Msgr.Alberto Giovannetti to New York as the United Nations:The Case of Non-Member 1931: Vatican City joined the Radiotelegraph Service. first permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN. States,” United Nations Public Information 1932: The World Telegraph Union and the April 1964: UN Secretary-General U Thant accepted the Holy See’s designation of itself as a permanent Office, Feb. 4, 2000. Radiotelegraph Service merged to create the International Telecommunication Union;Vatican City observer.There appeared to be no involvement of the 11 The Status of Observers in the United Nations, remained a member. It is by membership in this union General Assembly or the UN Security Council in the R. G. Sybesma-Knol, 1981. and the postal union that Vatican City originally decision. gained admission into the UN as an observer. Feb. 1, 1967: Pope Paul VI named a permanent 12 “Church or State?,” Center for Reproductive observer to the UN’s Geneva Office, as well as to the Law and Policy, 1995. 1944: The Holy See made tentative inquiries to the US Secretary of State about the eligibility of Vatican Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 13 Fragmentation and the International Relations of City to become a member of the UN and was told 1967: The Holy See named permanent observers to MicroStates, Jorri Duursma, p. 399. that membership was not appropriate. the WHO, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the UN Conference on Trade and 14 The Creation of States in International Law, 1948: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) became the first specialized UN agency to grant the Development (UNCTAD).The United Nations James Crawford, 1979, pp. 152-161. Holy See/Vatican City* the status of permanent Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) was 15 “The Holy See at United Nations observer to its conferences. FAO explicitly noted that established and the Holy See joined as a full member. Conferences: State or Church?”Yasmin this status had been granted because of the special 1978: The Holy See became a permanent observer to religious nature of the Holy See/Vatican City. Abdullah, Columbia Law Review, 1996. the Organization of American States. 1951: A representative of the Vatican Migration 1997 : The Holy See became a member of the World 16 The Status of Observers in the United Nations, Bureau was accredited to the International Relief Trade Organization. R. G. Sybesma-Knol, 1981. Organization.The Holy See/Vatican City began attending meetings of the UN General Assembly and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an ad hoc

*Prior to October 1957, the terms Holy See 89and Vatican City were often used interchangeably. Endorsers of The “See Change” Campaign include:

Catholic Social Reproductive Health & Women’s Rights Groups African Centre for Empowerment, Justice Groups Rights Groups Gender and Advocacy: Kenya Catholics for a Changing Church: UK Association of Ugandan Women Medical Doctors: Uganda American Women’s Work: USA Catholics for a Free Choice: Canada and USA Center for Reproductive Law and Policy: USA ARROW (Asian-Pacific Resource and Catholics Speak Out/Quixote Center: USA Research Center for Women): Malaysia Choice USA: USA Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir: Brasil The Breast Cancer Fund: USA Family Care International (FCI): USA Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir Argentina, Center for Health and Gender Equity Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Latin America, International Planned Parenthood Federation (CHANGE): UK and USA México, Perú and Spain (IPPF) and family planning associations in Albania, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Center for Women’s Global Leadership: USA CORPUS - The National Association England, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, For A Married Priesthood: USA Centre for Women and Adolescent Ireland, Italy, Latvia, New Zealand, Poland, Empowerment (CWAE): Nigeria Initiative Christenrechte in Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Federation of Women Lawyers: Kenya der Kirche: Germany Switzerland, Uganda and USA. Feminist Majority Foundation: USA Loretto Women’s Network: USA Latin American and Caribbean National Coalition of American Nuns: USA Women’s Health Network: Chile Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI): Nigeria We Are Church groups in England and Wales, Marie Stopes in Australia, Ethiopia, Modemmujer: México France, South Africa and Venezuela South Africa and UK National Organization for Women: USA Women Church Convergence: USA Medical Students for Choice: USA Women for Independence Self-Sufficiency and Women’s ordination groups in Australia, National Abortion and Reproductive Economic Advancement (WISSEA): South Africa, UK and USA Rights Action League (NARAL): USA Caribbean and Nigeria National Association of Nurse Women Leaders Online: USA Practitioners in Women’s Health: USA Women Living Under Muslim Human Rights Groups National Family Planning and Laws: France and Nigeria Americans for Religious Liberty: USA Reproductive Health Association: USA Women’s Caucus for Gender Justice: USA Arab Commission for Human Rights: France National Latina Health Organization: USA Center for Economic and Social Rights: USA Pacific Institute for Women’s Health: USA Development Groups International Committee for Peace Physicians for Reproductive in Africa (INCOPA): Nigeria Health and Choice: USA Action Canada for Population and Development: Canada International Women’s Human Population Concern: UK Rights Law Clinic: USA FEMNET:The African Women’s Development RAINBO: USA and Communication Network: Kenya Legal and Human Rights Centre:Tanzania Republicans For Choice: USA International Women’s Movement for Inter-Racial Justice Women’s Global Network for Development Agency:Australia and Equality: Sri Lanka Reproductive Rights:The Netherlands NGOWorld: Nigeria Race Relations Institute, Fisk University: USA World Population Foundation:The Netherlands Philippine Rural Reconstruction W.E.A.R.E. for Human Rights: USA Movement: Philippines Women’s Alliance for Peace and Human Rights WIDE-Austria:Austria In Afghanistan (WAPHA): USA Humanist Groups Women’s Environment and Development The International Humanist and Ethical Union Organization (WEDO): USA and humanist organizations from Argentina, Belgium, Chile, France, Iceland, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, Nepal, Nigeria, Poland, Slovakia, UK and USA

A full list of endorsers is available at www.seechange.org/endorsers

For further information, contact: David Nolan, campaign manager The “See Change” Campaign c/o Catholics for a Free Choice 1436 U Street, NW,Suite 301 Washington, DC 20009 USA Tel : +1 (202) 986 6093 Fax: +1 (202) 332 7995 Email: [email protected] Web: www.seechange.org