2013 March 03

Philatelist Alert: Vatican Issues Stamps for the Interregnum

Stamp collectors will need to act quickly if they want to get their hands on these: The Vatican has just issued a set of four stamps for use during the “Sede Vacante” (when the See is Vacant), that period between the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of a new pope.

The interregnum stamps, according to Vatican sources, include the symbol of the Vacant See, a striped umbrella (umbraculum) over crossed keys. They can be used only until a new pope is elected in next month’s Conclave—meaning they will be in use for only a few weeks. For collectors, the most valuable of the short-lived stamps will be those which are postmarked on the first day. And the limited-time postmark itself is of special interest: It reads simply “Sede Vacante MMXIII”.

The Independent Catholic News has published a description of the limited-issue stamps:

The Philatelic and Numismatic Office of the Governorate of Vatican City State has issued four stamps with the image of an angel raising the pavilion of the Apostolic Camera, the work of Italian artist Daniela Longo. The stamps cost: Euro 0.70 for mail to Italy, with a light green background; Euro 0.85 for mail to Europe, with a blue background; Euro 2.00 for mail to the Americas, with a grey background; and Euro 2.50 for mail to Oceana, on a yellow background.

TV Worth Watching: “The Bible” Premieres March 3

Tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST, something new is coming to your television set: A Lenten miniseries that is well produced and true to the Scriptures. “The Bible,” a five-part, ten-hour miniseries produced by actress Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett, begins at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the History Channel.

It was my privilege to preview about an hour of the broadcast last month; and I’d like to offer my enthusiastic endorsement of the work. It is true to the Scriptures—none of that anti-religious Holy Week fare (“Jesus’ Grandchildren” or “Ancient Aliens”) here. There is no snarky, inaccurate criticism of the Catholic Church (a la “Da Vinci Code” or “Hitler’s Pope”). Instead, this series brings to life scenes and stories from the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, in a manner that is respectful and faithful, yet entertaining.

Burnett and Downey conceived of the project after watching “The Ten Commandments” for the first time since childhood. Speaking about the series at last month’s Legatus International Summit, Downey explained, “This is an introduction to the Bible. This is an attractor for people who really haven’t read the Bible lately—or maybe never.”

Roma Downey, who is perhaps best known for her role on “Touched By an Angel”, spoke enthusiastically about her experience during filming in Morocco. “An actor would ask a question,” she revealed, “and I would pull out my Bible. We would sit around the fire and read Scripture. I’ve never [in my acting career] had anything else like that.”

Mark Burnett, British-born American producer of TV hits including “Survivor” and “Celebrity Apprentice” and more, confided that he felt the arms of Jesus around him in the making of this film.

Not a low-budget production, “The Bible” is filmed on location in Morocco. Its scenes are richly colored, evocative of a Caravaggio painting, and its settings are accurate.

Among the board of advisors for “The Bible” series are Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, and Bishop Anthony Basil Taylor, bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock. Others who have been consulted on the project include well-known Protestant leaders Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church and a personal friend of the couple; Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church; Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary; and more. Tom Peterson, founder of Catholics Come Home, also helped with the project.

Tune in tonight to see Week 1: “In the Beginning – Exodus.” You can learn more about the series (and download a free Bible app!) at their website, bibleseries.tv; or text to 313131 the word “Bible” to stay in touch by cell phone.