Language:
English
Year of publication:
1999
Titel der Quelle:
Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
13,2 (1999) 222-251
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Catholic Church
;
Holocaust (Christian theology)
Abstract:
The Vatican document "We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah" is the culmination of Pope John Paul II's activities on behalf of the normalization of Catholic-Jewish relations. Examines the positive and negative components of this document, focusing on the latter. "We Remember" tends to absolve the Church of responsibility for the Holocaust. It distinguishes between Christian anti-Judaism and Nazi antisemitism, and interprets positively the role played by Pope Pius XII and the German Catholic Church during the Nazi era. A close examination of the latter issues disproves the claimed positive role. Pius XII was pro-German and anti-liberal in his worldview. Both he and the German Catholic hierarchy tended toward reaching a compromise with Hitler, and they shared some of his anti-Jewish views. Concludes that despite its weaknesses, "We Remember" reflects the Church's desire for reconciliation with the Jews.
Note:
On the Vatican document "We Remember".
,
Appeared also in "The Vatican and the Holocaust" (2000).
,
Reprinted in his "Studies on the Holocaust" II (2001).
DOI:
10.1093/hgs/13.2.222
URL:
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