Religion
Related: About this forumVatican goes high-tech to ensure conclave secrecy
http://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/08/vatican-goes-high-tech-to-ensure-conclave-secrecy/Alessandro Speciale | Mar 8, 2013
On Friday (March 8), the Vaticans chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that special jamming devices will be surround the Sistine Chapel and the Santa Marta guest residence where cardinals will be sequestered during the conclave. This will not only prevent electronic eavesdropping on the secret proceedings, but will also stop cardinals from communicating via telephones or computers with the outside world. Photo courtesy Shutterstock.com
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The secrecy and security measures that surround a papal election are designed to make the conclave safe for the Holy Spirit, as the saying goes.
But the high-tech defenses the Vatican is deploying for next weeks conclave are so impressive that it will be a miracle if even the Holy Spirit can slip in to the Sistine Chapel.
On Friday (March 8), the Vaticans chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that special jamming devices will be surround the Sistine Chapel and the Santa Marta guest residence where cardinals will be sequestered during the conclave.
This will not only prevent electronic eavesdropping on the secret proceedings, but will also stop cardinals from communicating via telephones or computers with the outside world.
more at link
kairos12
(12,862 posts)of that fancy technology to keep some their priests locked away as securely as their papal votes. Doubtful.
longship
(40,416 posts)The Holy Spirit quip is one.
This seems to be a bit over the top, but I can imagine how the Vatican would want to keep things under wraps. I would still like to be a fly on the wall. It's compelling stuff and I imagine that news organizations would pay big bucks for the inside story.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I'm betting things get a little more than testy at times.
Got my fingers crossed for anything that looks like change, but in light of the overall group of choices, I am not very hopeful.
Still, it's the stuff of good novels and creative speculation.
Waiting on the white smoke!
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)They rang them when Benedict left Vatican City.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)Though there are certainly other issues where they lag far behind.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Now it has to be secret??
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I'm not sure what that has to do with secrecy, but that's been going on for a long time and it's clearly more of a political process than anything else, imo.
Goblinmonger
(22,340 posts)You didn't get the memo?
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Over the years I have read articles from Catholic leaders stating that they are the TRUE path to god.
Any religion that states that and then has secrecy is hiding something dark and evil.
A TRUE religion would swing open their doors and let everyone see how their god works.
EvilAL
(1,437 posts)that's a keeper.. They scared the Holy Spirit might leave his facebook opened and get "hacked" or what?
cbayer
(146,218 posts)The other funny one is the expressed fear that the cardinals may go into twitter withdrawal.
EvilAL
(1,437 posts)when reporters would have to run to a phone booth...
pinto
(106,886 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)pinto
(106,886 posts)I think the speculation about a non-European is kind of neat. Hello?
goldent
(1,582 posts)but convey the election result using colored smoke
This is why I love the Catholic Church
dimbear
(6,271 posts)What next? An electric fireplace?
goldent
(1,582 posts)As long as it can produce black or white smoke on demand, it'll do!
Phillip McCleod
(1,837 posts)sounds like a challenge. i'm sure i'm not the only one who hears that subtext.
on second thought. who really cares? it'll be some evil asshole, no matter how it goes.