The Killing of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani

by Kerry Patton:

The 11th branch of Iran’s Gilan Provincial Court upheld the apostasy conviction and execution sentencing of Christian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani this week. Social media accounts like Twitter have swarmed support for Pastor Nadarkhani. But where is the critically needed support from nation states—let alone, from where the Vatican?

The Vatican is an internationally recognized sovereign state with full diplomatic status. The Holy See has a legal personality under international law, giving it recognition as a sovereign state, which allows it to enter into treaties and to send and receive diplomatic representation. Knowing the Vatican has these powers, why hasn’t it spoken up on behalf of the Christian minister?

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