World Jewish Congress criticizes decision to beatify Pope Pius XII
22 December 2009
Pope Benedict XVI has moved his controversial war-time predecessor, Pius XII, a step closer to sainthood, declaring that Pius had displayed "heroic virtues" throughout his life and thus been a Christian worthy of imitation. Pius was one of 17 people approved by Benedict on Saturday in a list that also includes Pope John Paul II.
The decree of heroic virtue is an important step on the path to sainthood, representing an official finding that the candidate lived a saintly life. The candidate can now be referred to as “venerable” and, if two miracles are documented and accepted by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Cause of Saints, can be beatified and later elevated to sainthood.
Pius XII (formerly Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli), who was pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1939 to 1958, has been accused of doing little or nothing to prevent the death of six million Jews in the Holocaust.
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) criticized the Pope Benedict’s decision. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder declared: “As long as the archives of Pope Pius about the crucial period 1939 to 1945 remain closed, and until a consensus on his actions – or inaction – concerning the persecution of millions of Jews in the Holocaust is established, a beatification is inopportune and premature. While it is entirely a matter for the Catholic Church to decide on whom religious honors are bestowed, there are strong concerns about Pope Pius XIIs political role during World War II which should not be ignored.”
Lauder called on the Vatican to immediately open all existing archives about the Pius era to international researchers in order to dispel doubts that still persist. “Given the importance of good relations between Catholics and the Jews, and following the difficult events of the past year, it would be appreciated if the Vatican showed more sensitivity on this matter”, he said.
Yad Vashem spokeswoman Iris Rosenberg said it was "regrettable" that the Vatican had acted before making available all documents on the pontificate of Pius XII.
Meanwhile, Pope Benedict on Monday recalled his visit to Israel earlier this year: "The visit to the Yad Vashem has meant an upsetting encounter with the cruelty of human fault, with the hatred of a blind ideology that, with no justification, sent millions of people to their deaths,” he said, adding that Yad Vashem was "first of all a commemorative monument against hatred, a heartfelt call to purification and forgiveness, to love.”
Have your say:
Opinion Poll: What is you view on the necessity of inter-faith dialogue?
Email us your view on this news story.
» Speech of Cardinal Walter Kasper at Liverpool Hope University, UK
» Op-Ed: Ronald Lauder calls on Pope Benedict XVI to clarify Vatican's stance on Pius XII
» Former Israeli chief rabbi urges Pope Benedict to stop Pius XII beatification
» Holocaust survivors want chief rabbi to raise Pius XII beatification with Pope Benedict
» Note concerning decree on the heroic virtues of Pius XII - by the Vatican
Comments
We welcome any comments you may have on this article.
If you are a facebook user you may choose to have the comment appear on your wall.
Comments are moderated and we reserve the right to edit or remove any which are derogatory or offensive.
The WJC is not responsible for the content of any comments.
Get Involved
Herbert Lazarus, over 2 years ago
I think a rapprochement between Jews and Catholics is vital, particularly for the Jews. Nevertheless, I was alive during the Nazi era and am a veteran of WWII. At that time I was deeply saddened by the failure of Pius XII to speak out against the atrocities being committed against the Jews. I could not understand his silence and attributed it at the time to his tacit support of the Nazis' actions on this horror. In the absence of strong evidence to the contrary, how can I possibly feel otherwise?