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| God has strange lodgers |
Nick Squires reports for The Telegraph that 13 million pounds worth of counterfeit souvenirs was seized before the beautification of the late pope John Paul II.
The products involved were ““family packs” of plastic rosaries which they said could be dangerous because they did not pass European safety standards.“
The assumption is that the counterfeit goods originate from China: “The goods are believed to have been shipped from China to a port in northern Europe and then transported to Italy in trucks.” Read Squires article here.
Catholic News USA wrote:
“The 5.5 million items seized – which included fake Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches as well as pirate Mont Blanc pens – had a market value of around 15 million euros (S$26.9 million), it said according to an AFP report.” Read here.
Another problem was that some people started to sell tickets to the beautification: “A further problem is reported by the Prefecture of the Papal Household, informed of the existence of “improper deals”, particularly via the internet, of services and tickets for payment The Household points out that there is no need of tickets to attend the ceremonies for the beatification. In addition, tickets granted by the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, at pontifical ceremonies or general audiences, are always free, and no person or institution can demand any payment.” Read more here.
Last year the Vatican denounced the deaths of 700,000 people because of counterfeit drugs. See here.
If the counterfeiters wrestle with their conscience they cannot use the iPhone app “Confessions” to get forgiveness according to the Vatican, read here.
