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Pope Pius helped save Jews, Benedict says
It is the first time Benedict publicly defended the record of the wartime pontiff, whose consideration for sainthood is moving forward despite the accusations, ANSA, the Italian news agency, reported Friday.
Pope Pius XII "spared no effort, wherever it was possible, to intervene (for Jews) directly or through instructions given to individuals or institutions in the Catholic Church," Benedict said.
Pius worked quietly "avert the worst and save the highest number of Jews possible," Benedict said. He also noted that Pius, who led the Roman Catholic Church from 1939 to 1958, was thanked by Jewish groups during and after the war, ANSA said.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, said the story that Pius stood by while Nazis exterminated millions of Jews "has become so firmly established that even scratching it is an arduous task."
Critics, including many Jewish associations, argue that a strong, public stance from Pope Pius XII could have changed the course of the war.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International.
This news arrived on: 09/19/2008
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Posted Comments:
09-22-2008 05:24
Maria Way wrote:
Pius XII
The situation was very difficult in Italy, as Satchell says, and the Vatican has no army. Many in the church risked their lives for jews and others by hiding them within church property. If Pius XII was so bad, why did the Chief Rabbi of Italy, Rabbi Zolli, convert to Catholicism after the way -- and why does nobody ever mention Pius XII's radio broadcasts against racism in any form, there were between 60 and 80 of them, i believe, totally ignored. Jewish authors often say he didn't specifically mention Judaism, but racism is racism, whoever the affected people are and it was not only Jews who were killed and imprisoned. Many Slavs, Blacks, handicapped people, gay people, Gypsies, were also incarcerated and killed -- as were many Catholic (and Protestant) priests and sisters. This is almost never mentioned.
09-21-2008 22:15
Jerry DeMuth wrote:
Pope Pius XII and saving Jews.
Those who say that Pope Pius XII was justified in not doing more, in not speaking out, because to do so would have placed Vatican and other church properties at risk of confiscation by the Nazis are saying, in effect, that Pius XII was not a Christian, and did not believe in following Christ's teachings. This pope was putting property above people, above Christ's teachings and as such does not deserve sainthood.
09-19-2008 14:43
Leslee in Canada wrote:
World Ware II
It is very easy for today's society to condemn what others did during WWII. I was born in 1952 so what the heck do I know? Only what someone else has told me (like my Mother, who trained as a nurse from 1939-41, or magazines and books) Any war that has happened during recorded history can be disected and errors found.
Maybe some day we will find a way to wage peace instead of war, that everyone can live with.
Maybe some day we will find a way to wage peace instead of war, that everyone can live with.
09-19-2008 13:57
JEANNIEMAC wrote:
POPE PIUS XII
Pope Pius XII was in Rome during WWII. Rome is in Italy, which was one of the Axis, partners with Japan and Germany. There were German soldiers everywhere. They were giving orders to the Italians, who were not that eager to fight against the USA. The Pope ordered Baptismal certificates by the thousands to be issued to Jewish citizens for their protection. Seminaries and convents sheltered many Jewish families. Inside the Vatican, there are many underground catacombs, which were not well known to the Nazis. Many Jews were hidden there.
The Pope tried diplomatically to aid the Jews, but was warned that to publically condemn their treatment would result in repercussions against all Christians, as well as confiscation of all Vatican properties, convents, seminaries, etc. and imprisonment of all religious personnel.
The Pope did all he could under the circumstances.
The Pope tried diplomatically to aid the Jews, but was warned that to publically condemn their treatment would result in repercussions against all Christians, as well as confiscation of all Vatican properties, convents, seminaries, etc. and imprisonment of all religious personnel.
The Pope did all he could under the circumstances.
09-19-2008 12:18
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL wrote:
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
GOOD
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