Thursday, September 24, 2015

DEAR ANDREA TANTAROS: SINCE YOU ASKED...

Snark from a Fox commentator, spotted in a roundup of grumbly right-wing reactions to the Pope's speech:



Well, in fact:
In light of the massive refugee crisis in Europe, Pope Francis announced Sunday [September 6] that he will give temporary housing in the Vatican to at least two refugee families and asked that every European parish, monastery, and shrine do the same.

The pontiff said the two parish churches contained within the walls of the Vatican city-state, St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Anne’s, will welcome at least one refugee family each.
More:
The papal Almoner’s Office, which responds to individual requests for assistance and helps coordinate Pope Francis’ direct requests for assisting the homeless in Rome, announced on September 18 that a refugee family was being cared for by St Anne’s parish inside Vatican City.

The family -- a mother, father and two children -- belong to the Melkite Catholic Church, one of the Byzantine-rite churches in full union with Rome.

The family arrived in Italy on September 6, the day the Pope made his appeal, the Vatican said; they have been offered a Vatican apartment near St Peter’s Square, as requested by Pope Francis.

Their request for asylum had been filed with Italian authorities, the Vatican said, and in accordance with Italian law, family members are not allowed to seek employment for the next six months. St Anne’s parish was providing all needed assistance and care in the meantime.

The Vatican said St Peter’s Basilica was still in the process finalising details for taking in a refugee family.
Also:
The Almoner’s Office said that for years it has made financial contributions to Jesuit Refugee Service’s Astalli Centre in Rome to help cover the costs of permits that allow refugees to stay in Italy.

The office also provides funding and aid in the pope’s name for many refugees who receive services at a variety of other centers in Rome.

In addition, Pope Francis recently made available a mobile medical unit for refugees in Rome.

The medical unit had been donated to the Pope a few years ago, the Almoner’s Office said, and had been used only during papal events.

“For a few days now,” the unit has been brought out “a few times a week to assist refugees” in the outskirts of Rome.
You can argue that the Vatican could do more. But it's keeping its word.

It took me about thirty seconds to find this, Andrea. Try Googling next time.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Tantaros could have Google the facts but that wouldn't have fit her mean-spirited attack on the Pontiff.