By NIK GOWING - INTELLIGENCE2
Added: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:44:53 UTC

Thanks to Thurston for the link
Original link

This debate took place at the 2010 Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. Only audio is available for this event; you can listen to the debate on the player above.

Arguing in favour of the motion are Johann Hari and David Aaronovitch.

Johann Hari begins the debate by arguing that the pope holds ultimate responsibility for allowing the ongoing abuse of children to take place and for maintaining the Vatican policy of dealing with the abuse in house. He states that opposing the visit is not anti-Catholic and furthermore, should the Pope be allowed to visit, then he should be arrested upon arrival.

David Aaronovitch asserts that there is no place for the Pope in the modern world. The lack of accountability and transparency that surrounds the Vatican and the position of the Pope is a contradiction with our values to such an extent that the invitation should be rescinded.

Arguing against the motion are Helena Kennedy and Phillipe Sands.
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TAGGED: POLITICS, RELIGION, SPEECHES