Pope denied visa to visit SA

[petatodd]

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/04/01/sa-denies-pope-visa

 

 

 

Pope Benedict the XVI has been denied a visa to visit the country.

The Pontiff was previously planning a visit to the country in order to celebrate the life and work of Benedict Daswa, South Africa’s first saint.

However the department of Home Affairs has rejected his Visa, on the grounds that he heads an organisation with possible links to money laundering.

“This ‘Catholic Church’ of his is on the US money laundering watch list, and his bank has been linked to the fraudulent collapse of Banco Ambrosiano,” one department official told us.

Further concern was apparently raised by his repeated calls for the end of the secular state, and past links with dictators.

“He heads an organisation that was very closely aligned with Francisco Franco, and he himself was a member of the Hitler Youth,” Another source said, "we don't think he is joking when he says he opposes one of the bedrock principles of democratic law.”

Catholic groups are outraged, claiming the real reason is pressure from the US following the Pope's call for an end to sanctions against Cuba.

The president’s office could not be reached for comment.

[Lucky Luke.]

nice use of the date there, if only it were true.

[Lucky Luke.]

hang on, I see woollies have sent him some halaal buns as a gesture of consolation

[No Hare]

No worries

 

The Dalai Lama said the Pope can use his visa...

[Mojoman]

haha, money laundering. Am suprised then we did not welcome him with wide, wide open arms....!

['Dale]

hang on, I see woollies have sent him some halaal buns as a gesture of consolation

 

:-)

[DJR]

It is so close to beleivable, after the Dalai Llama episode, that you had me there for a little while.

[TNT1]

after the Dalai Llama episode,

 

It would have at least showed that our government had consistency with regards treatment of religious leaders.