Dad's Report on Italy

In Italy the Church (Dad's office) has been trying to raise its level of registration. Having this higher level "Intesa" would mean our bishops could perform marriages and maybe tithing could become tax-deductible, etc. (What if it weren't in the US?)

Dad put together a group of churches trying to do the same thing. This is very exciting because the Church rarely (almost never) works with other churches. Dad has met some very interesting people. It is also rewarding because they may make progress.

Here is what Dad wrote. I copied a few paragraphs from a report he wrote. It does sound like a lawyer wrote it but the Lord's hand is clearly in it, too.

This posting will be complete when you see the photo of the group here, too.
Love, Mom

Friends: Attached you will find my report on the current status of our Intesa efforts in Italy. As you will recall, we began undertaking a major effort to coalesce the other religions and to meet with important politicians prior to the Italian elections that have just taken place. That effort has been quite exciting and successful, and is largely completed (the Italian elections were conducted April 12-13).

In Italy we have succeeded at coalescing and functioning as a united coalition of seven religions all seeking Intese. These religions include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Evangelical Waldensian Church, 7th Day Adventist Union, Orthodox Church of Italy, Apostolic Church of Italy, Italian Hindu Union, and Union of Italian Buddhists. The Jehovah’s Witnesses chose not to join with us.
The first meeting of the coalition was held in Rome, on March 13, 2008. Representatives of each of these religions have been present during the several meetings with government officials/political candidates in the past thirty days. The second meeting of the coalition took place on April 8, 2008.
We are leading the coalition. The coalition is functioning harmoniously. We are getting good support from the various members. And we expect to be able to get financial support from the members when we seek it. The next meeting of the coalition is scheduled for May 13, 2008.