Tuning In With Betsy  

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The unusual document issued Tuesday by the Vatican's Office for Migrants and Itinerant People, also urged people to pray while behind thewheel.

Among other things it warned about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behaviour in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."

The document also urges motorists to obey traffic regulations and drive with a moral sense and to help victims of accidents.
Renato Cardinal Martino, who heads the office, told a news conference that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving has become such a big part of contemporary life.

He noted that the Bible is full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus - and that his office is tasked with dealing with all "itinerant" people - including refugees, prostitutes, truck drivers and the homeless.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said. "That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church."

The document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road," extols the benefits of driving - family outings, getting the sick to the hospital, allowing people to see other cultures.

But it laments a host of ills associated with automobiles. Among them:

- Drivers use their cars to show off.

- Driving "provides an easy opportunity to dominate others" by speeding.

- Drivers can kill themselves and others if they don't get do regular maintenance on their vehicles.

- Drivers can also kill if they drink, use drugs or fall asleep at the wheel.

It also pointed the finger at traffic problems particular to Rome.

"Danger also derives from city cars, which are driven by youngsters and adults who do not have (full) driving licences, and the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles," it said.

It called for drivers to obey speed limits and to exercise a host of Christian virtues: charity to fellow drivers, prudence on the roads, hope of arriving safely and justice in the event of crashes.

And it suggested prayer might come in handy - making the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the rosary along the way.

The rosary was particularly well suited to recitation by all in the car since its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention," it said.

The document is intended for bishops conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers, including setting up chapels along motorways and having "periodic celebration of liturgies" at major road hubs, truck stops and restaurants.