Holy See and League of Arab States Sign Agreement

[Abiding in His Word]

Holy See and League of Arab States Sign Agreement

Interreligious Dialogue Initiatives Given Focus

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 23, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican Secretariat of State signed a memorandum of understanding today together with the League of Arab States.

http://www.zenit.org/article-25700?l=english

[SueAnn]

Wow. I have a feeling this is BIG.

[smallisland]

Why's he called Holy See???

[Abiding in His Word]

Why's he called Holy See???

The Holy See is not a person per se, but rather a "branch" of the vatican that represents the governmental aspects of the papacy.

The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and speaks for the whole Catholic Church. It is also recognized by other subjects of international law as a sovereign entity, headed by the Pope, with which diplomatic relations can be maintained.[1]

The Holy See should not be confused with the Vatican City State, which came into existence only in 1929, while the Holy See dates back to early Christian times. Ambassadors are officially accredited not to the Vatican City State but to "the Holy See", and papal representatives to states and international organizations are recognized as representing the Holy See, not the Vatican City State.

While all episcopal sees can be referred to as holy, the expression "the Holy See" (without further specification) is normally used in international relations (as well as in the canon law of the Catholic Church)[2] to refer to the central government of the Catholic Church.

http://www.answers.com/topic/holy-see

[smallisland]

Thanks for that - its been a gap in my knowledge that I've been meaning to fill every time I've heard it mentioned!