I am a Catholic too, though marginally attached to the Church due to multiple and systematic dubious ethical decisions from the top of our clergy hierarchy (of

I am a Catholic too, though marginally attached to the Church due to multiple and systematic dubious ethical decisions from the top of our clergy hierarchy (of which the de-facto protection of pederast priests is just the tip of the iceberg). That does not mean I will go around finding reasons to criticize everything they do. They have (presumed) legitimate possession of an invaluable wealth of historic documents. It is therefore their prerogative to decide to whom they give access to it. It is a good thing they decided to digitize those documents and put them on the web. It is also a good thing they will have open access for free. What the heck are you freaking out about? According to your logic, this is a "boneheaded announcement" because of what? Because they are looking for means to finance the operation without forking out their own money? Everybody does it, governments, corporations, non profits, individuals! But somehow, Vatican is special! If it does not live up to the highest (irrational) ideals, they it must be rotten to the core! St Ambrose said "The Church is both saint and whore"[1]. And somehow you seem disappointed that the saint-whore does too much sainting and too little whoring. [1] Wrongfully attributed to St Augustine of Hippo.