Return to the Vatican - A qualified welcome

For a state as influenced by the Catholic Church, for a state where so many citizens are Catholic as this one, the closure of our embassy in the Vatican was a radical, unprecedented expression of dissatisfaction. 

Nevertheless it was entirely justified in the circumstances.

Time heals everything but yesterday’s announcement that the Government intends to reopen the embassy can get only a qualified welcome.

This is because the culture that led to the protest seems alive and well. 

Earlier this week, Spanish cardinal Fernando Sebastian Aguilar described homosexuality as a “defect” that can be cured. 

Days earlier, the Vatican rejected an extradition request for Archbishop Josef Wesolowski who faces child abuse charges, saying he is covered by diplomatic immunity.

These seem the very attitudes that led to protest in the first place, so what has changed?