The facts surrounding Bernie's invitation to Vatican City
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences extended an invitation to Bernie Sanders to participate in their conference which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Centesimus Annus.
Many world leaders, researchers and scientists were invited to participate. The first step in getting securing this invitation, is to apply. Not everyone who applies is invited. It is evident that the attendee list includes many prominent, accomplished participants from across the globe.
Bernie was extended an invitation to this conference. This is an exciting honor. His supporters should be proud of him, despite some negative grumblings.
Negative publicity ensued after Margaret Archer of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, issued disparaging comments, accusing Bernie of being "discourteous". She even speculated, that, “I think in a sense he may be going for the Catholic vote but this is not the Catholic vote and he should remember that and act accordingly -- not that he will.”
Here are the facts. The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, as a whole, extended this invitation to Bernie. They didn't have to. They granted this honor to Bernie because they want him there. If the organization wholly shared Ms. Archer's views, the invitation would have never happened. To suggest that Bernie wasn't invited--is unfair, unfounded and untrue.
Furthermore, below is the text of a press release/press statement released by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. You will notice that Bernie's name is listed FIRST in the list of attendees. Obviously, the organization is very proud that Bernie is attending. Their press materials--which are disseminated via the wires, worldwide--touts Bernie's name prominently.
I've written hundreds of press releases, on behalf of scientists, corporations and organizations. Press materials are designed to inform and publicize information. The most important information is placed in the first paragraph. Frankly, most reporters don't read past the headline and the first paragraph. Bernie's name is listed in that first paragraph, and is prominently featured as the first name.
That is not a mistake. That was done to spotlight Bernie Sander's involvement.
Clearly, Bernie has earned the support and respect of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences--enough to get this coveted invitation and enough for them to highly tout his participation.
Undoubtedly, there are many important people and voices within this organization. Margaret Archer is the president and she is one of those voices. However, her concerns and allegations were not important enough to override the decision that this organization made to invite Bernie and to showcase his involvement.
We should all be very proud of Bernie Sanders and we should all look forward to the contributions that he will make at this important conference.
Bernie Sanders supporters should be celebrating this invitation--and so should Bernie Sanders.
(Link and) Text of press release issued by the pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
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We're delighted to host this conference to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Centesimus Annus, bringing together world leaders, including US Senator Sanders, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Academicians of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences such as its President Margaret Archer, and leading scholars such as Professor Daniel Finn, Professor Jeffrey Sachs etc., to examine and discuss changes in politics, economics, and culture in the world these last 25 years in the light of Pope Francis' new encyclical Laudato si'. Our intention is socio-political in the highest sense of the term, because according to art. 1 of our Statutes, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by the Holy Father John Paul II on 1 January 1994 with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law and political science.
Title I - Constitution and Aims of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Art. 1
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by the Holy Father John Paul II on 1 January 1994 (AAS 86 [1994], 213), with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law and political science. The Academy, through an appropriate dialogue, thus offers the Church the elements which she can use in the development of her social doctrine, and reflects on the application of that doctrine in contemporary society. The Academy, which is autonomous, maintains a close relationship with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
✠ Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo
https://berniesanders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Bernie-Sanders-Vatican.pdf
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post. It is indeed an honor not only for the good Senator but also for his supporters. We finally have in the 'new' Pope a person with the courage of his own convictions, unafraid and undeterred by the powers that be (or rather were) of the Vatican and an American presidential candidate who share identical views of the human condition.
A Match Made in Heaven? Shared visions for the betterment of people all over the world? Peacemakers rather than warmongers? YES to all.
is that SHE wasn't even mentioned let alone invited
Thanks CoffeCat -
So much of what we've heard that has been negative today--has been thoroughly debunked.
The woman who made those bizarre allegations about Bernie not being invited were thoroughly cast as untruthful by her superior in a Reuters article.
Maybe, people just need to accept what Bernie has said about this. He's clearly told the truth thus far, and an aid to the Pope has backed up everything Bernie has said.
"This is not true and she knows it. I invited him with her consensus," said Sorondo, who is senior to Archer.
An invitation to Sanders dated March 30, which was emailed to Reuters, was signed by Sorondo and also included Archer's name.
I think it's time to move onto another subject. Bernie will go to Vatican City, make incredible contributions--and we'll hear many more details later, I'm sure.
We have the president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Science who has made some rather odd comments about Bernie, "“I think in a sense he may be going for the Catholic vote but this is not the Catholic vote and he should remember that and act accordingly -- not that he will.”
Who knows what she is all about. It's not important.
Reuters just issued this article, in which a "an aid close to the Pope" who is also "a chancellor at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences" wholly disputes what this Margaret Archer has said.
From Reuters:
"I deny that. It was not that way," Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo told Reuters in a telephone interview while he was traveling in New York. Sorondo, a close aide to Pope Francis, is chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, which is hosting the event.
He said it was his idea to invite Sanders.
A Bloomberg report quoted Margaret Archer, president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, as saying that Sanders had broken with protocol by failing to contact her office first.
"This is not true and she knows it. I invited him with her consensus," said Sorondo, who is senior to Archer.
An invitation to Sanders dated March 30, which was emailed to Reuters, was signed by Sorondo and also included Archer's name. 
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-vatican-idUSKCN0X5257
was about Bernie being invited to Vatican City to participate in the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences conference.
We all understood that there are many others participating. I said that repeatedly. Bernie said that is his press release. The Vatican press release says that too. That press release is all over this board, and many have re-posted it and have been celebrating this high honor.
You Hillary supporters and your sour grapes today. I don't think I've ever seen you guys in such a goofy state.
Bernie clearly was invited. An aid to the Pope confirmed that. That is not in dispute. The aid to the Pope is a superior to the woman who made the charge that Bernie was not invited. She was basically called a liar.
"This is not true and she knows it. I invited him with her consensus," said Sorondo, who is senior to Archer.
An invitation to Sanders dated March 30, which was emailed to Reuters, was signed by Sorondo and also included Archer's name.
My husband just said, "Of course they're [Hillary supporters] acting like this! This is epic and because it happened to Bernie and not Hillary, they think it hurts her. So they have to figure out how to tear it down."
Love my very smart husband! 
He never said that.
Bernie was discussing the invitation to Vatican City and his participation in the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences conference, in general.
One more time...it is honest to use all of these terms interchangeably: The Vatican/The Pope/Vatican City/The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Again, more hair splitting from the bile brigade. Sour grapes city because Hillary isn't going and this is a big deal for Bernie (and his campaign!).
Come on...be happy! 
"If I was invited to this prestigious conference, and someone said, "OMG, You're meeting with the Pope!" I'd probably reply, "Yup" too! These terms can be used interchangeably."
From now on whenever I pass through Memphis, I'm going to tell everyone, "I'm having lunch with Elvis".
And, you accuse me of spinning.
