Vatican website

{{christianity}}
The '''Vatican website''',<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm Vatican website in English]</ref> otherwise known as the official site of the [[Vatican|Holy See]], has many interesting articles.

==On exorcism== 
{{cquote|When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of [[Jesus Christ]] that a person or object be protected against the power of the [[Devil|Evil One]] and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called [[exorcism]]. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of [[Baptism]]. The solemn exorcism, called "a major exorcism," can be performed only by a [[priest]] and with the permission of the [[bishop]]. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of [[demon]]s or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c4a1.htm Vatican on exorcism]</ref>}}

==On condoms==
{{cquote|[[Condom]]s do not guarantee protection against [[AIDS|HIV/AIDS]]. Condoms may even be one of the main reasons for the spread of HIV/AIDS.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_20031201_family-values-safe-sex-trujillo_en.html#ChurchCriticism Vatican on condoms]</ref>}}

==On homosexuality==
{{Cquote|[[Homosexuality]] refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great [[Homophobia|variety of forms]] through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, [[ Argument from authority|which presents]] homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, [[Appeal to tradition|tradition]] has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the [[Appeal to nature|natural law]]. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a [[No True Scotsman|genuine affective and sexual complementarity]]. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

The number of men and women who have [[Homosexuality|deep-seated]] homosexual [[Bisexuality|tendencies]] is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a [[Homophobia|trial]]. They must be accepted with [[Friend argument|respect, compassion, and sensitivity]]. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard [[Irony|should be avoided]]. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

Homosexual persons are called to [[Abstinence|chastity]]. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach [[Delusions of grandeur|Christian perfection]].<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm Vatican on homosexuality]</ref>}}

==On angels==
{{cquote|[[Angel]]s have been present since [[creation]] and throughout the history of [[salvation]], announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected [[Lot]]; saved Hagar and her child; stayed [[Abraham]]'s hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of [[God]]; announced [[birth]]s and callings; and assisted the [[prophet]]s, just to cite a few examples. Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c1p5.htm Vatican on angels]</ref>}}

==On The Fall==
The Catechism has a surprisingly literal interpenetration of [[Original sin|the fall]].

{{cquote|The account of the fall in [[Genesis]] 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man. Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1C.HTM Vatican on the fall]</ref>}} 

{{cquote|Scripture portrays the tragic consequences of this first disobedience. [[Adam and Eve]] immediately lose the grace of original [[Holy|holiness]]. They become afraid of the God of whom they have conceived a distorted image &mdash; that of a God jealous of his prerogatives.}}

==.va==
Of note is the {{wpl|country code top-level domain}} (ccTLD) {{wpl|.va}} which was created in 1995 by Archbishop John Patrick Foley of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.<ref>[https://catholicphilly.com/2011/12/news/local-news/cardinal-john-patrick-foley-dies-at-the-age-of-76/ "Cardinal John Patrick Foley dies at the age of 76"]. ''Catholic Philly.'' Retrieved 2023-03-23.</ref> Interestingly enough, the .va ccTLD is for exclusive use by the Vatican and as such is not available to the public; otherwise we would end up seeing [[troll]]s registering joke domains such as <tt>vul.va</tt> or something along the lines of it.

==See also==
*[[Vatican]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Catholicism]]
[[Category:Websites]]

Categories: Catholicism, Websites