The U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, James Nicholson, ends his term later this month. John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter sat down with Ambassador Nicholson on Jan. 11th for a farewell interview. Some interesting snippets:

"NCR: You have been here during an exceptional period of time. You arrived shortly after 9/11, and you've been here for both the war on terrorism and the American sex abuse crisis. What are the one or two most important things you've discovered about the relationship between the United States and the Holy See?

NICHOLSON: I think there is an underlying reliance on the United States, on the part of the Holy See. Overall, they believe we will be there when we're needed...."


A little later, Nicholson says the United States is "a country that is very interested in close collaboration with the Vatican because of our commonality of values."

http://www.ncronline.org/mainpage/specialdocuments/nicholson05.htm

The enforcement of the MOB within the "land of the free" is not as impossible as it may seem or sound. Republicanism and terrorism have this much in common - the popular vote.

Republicanism has nothing to do with Terrorism.


Counsels to Writers and Editors, page 69, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: Attitude to Civil Authorities
Condemned by Our Own Words.--The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us. These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists. Our accusers will say that on such and such a day one of our responsible men said thus and so against the administration of the laws of this government. Many will be astonished to see how many things have been cherished and remembered that will give point to the arguments of our adversaries. Many will be surprised to hear their own words strained into a meaning that they did not intend them to have. Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances. Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men's souls.

Counsels to Writers and Editors, page 69, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: Attitude to Civil Authorities
Charges against Authorities and Powers.-- The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries. Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.

The truth is to be set forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. This alone can make our words effective. Only through the Spirit's power will victory be gained and held. The human agent must be worked by the Spirit of God. The workers must be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. They must have divine wisdom, that nothing may be uttered which would stir up men to close our way. Through the inculcation of spiritual truth we are to prepare a people who shall be able, in meekness and fear, to give a reason for their faith before the highest authorities in our world.

Evangelism, page 173, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: The Message and its Presentation
Do Not Attack Authorities.--"Our work is not to make a raid on the Government but to prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The fewer attacks we make on authorities and powers, the more work will we do for God. . . .

We are not to pass judgment on those who have not had the opportunities and privileges we have had. Some of these will go into heaven before those who have had great light but have not lived up to the light....

Let Seventh-day Adventists do nothing that will mark them as lawless and disobedient."

We have to defend the truth and we will have to say certain things such as exposing the inroads of spiritualism and the power of the papacy, but to equate the United States government with terrorism is not a good idea, especially at this time.