The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists not to kill, not to drink and drive, and to help fellow travelers in case of accidents.
An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that cars can be "an occasion of sin" -- particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.
Prostitution?! I love how that gets stuck with dangerous passing. Not cutting people off, not crossing several lanes of traffic at once, but prostitution. Something that, when it does take place in cars, does so when the car is parked. Anyhoo, for those of you who need commandments to help you know how to act on the roadways, here you go:
1. You shall not kill.With any luck, people will do a better job following these commandments that they have with the original ones.
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 neighbor 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.
Courteous and charitable? Sounds like the Pope just wants us to be a bunch of sitting ducks on the highway. Motorists just can't afford that kind of pre-9/11 thinking.
ReplyDeleteI like that we're supposed to to charitably convince the "young and not so young" not to drive when unfit to do so.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was nice of him to narrow down that age group for us.
I think it's wonderful. This helps in many ways. It can also give priests an opportunity to talk to their parishes about SUVs and pollution. All of my Catholic parishes in my area have parking lots full of SUVs. Why not more environmentally friendly sedans?
ReplyDeleteAlso, taking care of the vulnerable is always a good teaching. Also, he gives an opening for children of seniors, who should not be driving, to enter this discussion. I am not talking about able seniors. I am talking about stressed out, nearly blind, on the point of fainting, seniors, who could kill someone, and themselves. My dad fell into this category. That God he never hurt anyone. I am very thankful for this Pope.