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Drivers' Ten Commandments

Yesterday the Vatican published a Document of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People: "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road".

It's a lengthy document - as Vatican documents tend to be - but wisely they came up with the Drivers' Ten Commandments for those who aren't regular readers of the Vatican website. Here they are:

1. You shall not kill.

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

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

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

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

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

7. Support the families of accident victims.

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

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

Not many Catholics in Albania of course, but here might be an occasion for a display of Albania's famed religious tolerance.

I don't imagine the leaders of Albania's religious communities are avid readers of this blog, but wouldn't it be good if the four of them got together and publicly endorsed these ten commandments and commended them to Albanian motorists?

Even if only 3 out of 10 stuck it would make a huge difference - I'd like 5, 9 and 10 please.

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Comments

ITS said…
Did the Vatican issue any statements about handing over to the justice system the pedophiles they are harboring amongst them.

Wake me up when they do...
2:39 pm
ak said…
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

I agree on the part regarding Albanians, but coming from the Pope, who only drives expensive/powerful-engined Mercedes-Benzes, this sounds a bit odd.
2:57 pm
olli said…
I'm surprised the current pope doesn't change them all for BMW's since he come from Bavaria.
3:40 pm
Anonymous said…
even if all religious leaders adopted this and told it to people no one would listen. Albos have never listened to their religious leaders in the past...why should they start now. If they did, than the coutnry would have people with a lot of marals and good vitrues. AS it stands, the country is fuil of immoral and corrupt individuals who take advantage of teh weak state of albania's instituations. Theoretically most religions (especially the ones in albania) say good things...thou shall not kill, steal etc...

If everyone was to follow that example then our problems would be over pretty quickly. However, religion is only seen from a distance.
7:03 pm
seanachie said…
In the last edition of the Catholic Catechism (published around 1993 or 94) speeding was made a sin for the first time, so I suppose this was coming.
8:31 pm
Anonymous said…
I was cracking up reading the "Christ is the Way, He is the Road" part of the document. Tongue in cheek? I don't know.

"Those who know Jesus Christ are careful on the roads", which reminds me .... I was driving the other day and saw this bumper sticker: "Honk if you love Jesus". I did. The driver gave me the finger.
2:17 am
seanachie said…
Though the current Pope drove a more modest VW Golf. Someone unwittingly bought it secondhand, checked the name on the log book and made a tidy sum selling it on on eBay.
9:43 am
Anonymous said…
Actually, about 20% of Albanians are Catholic or come from Catholic backgrounds. However, regardless of religion, none of them drive worth a shit. I just got back from Durres where I witnessed a brand new Mercedes driver experience a moment of indecision....hmmm.... should I go to the port or the beach.... can't quite decide .... I'll split the difference and smash headlong into the concrete divider between the two lanes. I've lived all over the world and never seen a more dangerous mix of inexperience, machismo, and lack of regard for consequences.

I love this place!!
11:36 pm
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