Since the Vatican is essentially a religious organization, notwithstanding the fact that it claims the status of a state, and

In the light of persistent reports that the White House, through the Department of State, has been exploring the possibility of establishing liaison with the Vatican through a Charge d’Affaires or a diplomat of lesser rank, a move that is looked upon with favor by the Vatican, and

As the National Association of Evangelicals has in the past protested to the White House both the sending of a special envoy to the Vatican and the proposal to send an ambassador,

BE IT RESOLVED that we inform the White House that we stand unalterably opposed to diplomatic representation to the Vatican because it would in our opinion violate the basic principle of the First Amendment to the Constitution for our government to give such recognition to any church organization.