Executive Order Gives Vatican's UN Personnel Diplomatic Immunity

Acting under the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 that was passed by Congress last December (see prior posting), President Bush last Wednesday issued an Executive Order to "extend to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the diplomatic missions of member states to the United Nations, and members of such missions, subject to corresponding conditions and obligations." Reporting on the Executive Order, Catholic News Service explained that special legislation was needed since the Holy See is not a member of the United Nations, but instead has quasi-diplomatic permanent observer status.