he Roman Catholic Church is a unique theo-political entity. It enjoys the dubious status of being recognized throughout the world as both a religion and a sovereign nation-state. The latter has been the basis of extending official U.S. diplomatic recognition to the Vatican, and allowing the church's political wing -- the "Holy See" -- to occupy a powerful position in international bodies, including the United Nations. This in turn has permitted the church to have a disproportionate voice in world affairs, influence national and international policy, and maintain itself as an intelligence "listening post" trading information and monitoring global events.

   When the United States extended official diplomatic status to the Holy See during the Reagan administration, one benefit was access to the church's network of clerics and organizations in Eastern Europe. Indeed, the church funneled tens of millions of dollars from the U.S. government (especially the Central Intelligence Agency) to nativist groups like the Polish Solidarity Union. After the "fall of the wall," many citizens in the eastern block expressed alarm when the Church attempted to fill the power vacuum left by the collapse of regional communist parties, and limit civil liberties, abortion rights and take over national educational systems.

   In diplomatic parlance, the Holy See is a "monarchical-sacredotal state." What is today known as Vatican City was established as a result of a Concordant and Treaty signed between the Pope and the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini (1883-1945). Along with granting the church special privileges and geographical autonomy -- a question which had been part of Italian politics for centuries -- Mussolini also helped to establish the powerful church bank, which has evolved over the years under such innocent-sounding titles as "Institute for Religious Works."

   The Catholic state occupies a geographical area of about .44 square kilometers -- some 70% of the size of the Capital Mall in Washington, D.C. It has no agricultural lands, manufactures no products (except religious kitsch and official postage stamps), engages in no trade, has no pasture lands or port. It receives some municipal services from the city of Rome (water, sewer) but has been locked in a dispute with the Italian government because it is in arrears on payments. Its biggest industry, not including religious proselytizing, is worldwide financial activities and banking services.

   It has no opposition political parties. What passages for suffrage in the Papal state is limited to Cardinals under the age of 80 who vote for a replacement whenever a Pope expires. It has no airport (only a helicopter pad), one "official" newspaper and seven broadcasting stations, and operates on an annual budget estimated at $175 million. Outside of the immediate walled borders of the papal states are 13 other buildings which have been granted similar status, along with Castle Gandolfo, the pope's vacation residence.

   While it claims religious immunity, the Holy See has a network of diplomatic posts and legations throughout the world. It is a member or "observing member" of numerous international bodies, including the WTO, IAEA, IOM and Intelestat. In the United States, the Vatican maintains an official embassy on Massachusetts Avenue headed by Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan.

   The recognition of the Roman Catholic church as a political, diplomatic and religious entity is a status which no other religious group in the world enjoys. Those groups which do participate in the international community, specifically the United Nations, are limited to NGO or "non-governmental organization" status. While the Vatican does not have a vote in the Security Council, it is generally agreed in political circles that the special position and influence of the Holy See makes it a force to be reckoned with.

   Increasingly, critics are attacking this unique status for the Vatican.

   A press release issued yesterday by Catholics for a Free Choice noted: "The heart of the matter is the fact that the Holy See is not a state but the government of the Roman Catholic Church. To grant state status and special privileges to this religion over all others is simply unfair..."

   Anika Rahman, international program director at the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy noted: "The legal status of the Holy See as a nation-state is questionable. It does not meet the same criteria for nationhood as the other nations that are participants in the UN."

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