Vatican issues “10 Commandments” for good motorists

Posted by Kendall Harmon

From Reuters:

Thou shall not drive under the influence of alcohol. Thou shall respect speed limits. Thou shall not consider a car an object of personal glorification or use it as a place of sin.

The Vatican took a break from strictly theological matters on Tuesday to issue its own rules of the road, a compendium of do's and don'ts on the moral aspects of driving and motoring.

A 36-page document called "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" contains 10 Commandments covering everything from road rage, respecting pedestrians, keeping a car in good shape and avoiding rude gestures while behind the wheel.

"Cars tend to bring out the 'primitive' side of human beings, thereby producing rather unpleasant results," the document said.

Read it all.



Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Religion & Culture • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Roman Catholic

8 Comments
Posted June 19, 2007 at 3:35 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Jackson wrote:

This made me laugh….a country (Vatican City), 2/3rd’s the size of the National Mall (in DC), is spending time and resources on driving protocol. I wonder if its for the Italians…

June 19, 4:10 pm | [comment link]
2. Hosea6:6 wrote:

For those who desire the Vatican source document.

June 19, 4:29 pm | [comment link]
3. FrPhillips wrote:

Hey, it makes sense to me.  After all—as the saying goes, “All roads lead to Rome.”

June 19, 5:57 pm | [comment link]
4. NewTrollObserver wrote:

The Ten Commandments:

I.


You shall not kill.

II.


The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

III.


Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

IV.


  Be charitable and help your neighbour in need, especially victims of accidents.

V.


Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

VI.


Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

VII.


Support the families of accident victims.

VIII.


Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

IX.


On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

X.


Feel responsible towards others.

June 19, 7:38 pm | [comment link]
5. MargaretG wrote:

#2 thanks for the link. The document also includes

PASTORAL MINISTRY FOR THE LIBERATION OF STREET WOMEN

THE PASTORAL CARE OF STREET CHILDREN

THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE HOMELESS (TRAMPS)

an interesting collection

June 19, 10:38 pm | [comment link]
6. JuniorAAE wrote:

Jackson,

It’s definitely for the Italians.  Roman traffic has to be seen to be believed.

June 20, 1:32 am | [comment link]
7. Jackson wrote:

Thats what I thought-my wife and I got stuck driving in the pedestrian-only section of Florence and barely got out. It could have been a ring in Dante’s hell, except for the beautiful sights.

June 20, 9:10 am | [comment link]
8. azusa wrote:

“Praying while driving was encouraged.”
Presumably not with eyes closed and hands clasped.
I agree this was definitely intended for Italians. It doesn’t mention SUVs or worshippping graven images.

June 20, 1:36 pm | [comment link]
Registered members must log in to comment.



Next entry (above): The Presiding Bishop Visits Western Kansas

Previous entry (below): We're happy to help register AOL users

Return to blog homepage

Return to Mobile view (headlines)