"The Passion" Isn't Anti-Semitic, Says Vatican Aide

ZENIT ^ | 2004-03-11

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Rome's Jewish Community Wanted the Film Condemned

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 11, 2004 (Zenit.org).- A Vatican spokesman says the film "The Passion of the Christ" cannot be considered anti-Semitic without also regarding the Gospel the same way.

Joaquín Navarro-Valls made this statement in response to a request from Riccardo Di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome, who, after seeing the film Tuesday, asked that the Vatican condemn it officially.

The film "makes us go back to a period before the Second Vatican Council," the rabbi contended.

In statements published today by the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero, the director of the Vatican press office said: "The film is a cinematographic transcription of the Gospels. If it were anti-Semitic, the Gospels would also be so."

"It must not be forgotten that the film is full of 'positive' Jewish personages: from Jesus to Mary, from the Cyrenian to Veronica, including the moved crowd, etc.," Navarro-Valls stressed.

"If such a story were anti-Semitic, it would pose a problem for the Judeo-Christian dialogue, because it would be like saying that the Gospels are not historical," he said. "One must realize the seriousness of these affirmations."

That there have been no official statements does not mean that the Church condemns the film, Navarro-Valls said.

In fact, he said, the film "has nothing anti-Semitic about it. Otherwise, it would have been criticized" by the Pope and by his aides in the Holy See. The Holy Father saw the movie in December.

Navarro-Valls referred to a Vatican II declaration that pronounces itself against anti-Semitism.

"The declaration 'Nostra Aetate' was issued by the Catholic Church and, if it has not reacted in this case, it means that it has seen no reason to do so," he explained. "Otherwise, the hierarchy would have spoken out -- either the Vatican or the local episcopates."

Navarro-Valls revealed that some time ago, Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, came to Rome to make contacts in the Vatican on the issue.

"Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, replied: 'I don't see anything in this film that can be considered as anti-Semitic,'" the Vatican spokesman continued.

"The secretary of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, Father Norbert Hofmann, explained to [Foxman] that the Church has pronounced itself against anti-Semitism with the declaration 'Nostra Aetate,'" he concluded.

[dangus]

Go READ the book of Maccabees. Judah certainly was no robber, and he led an ARMY in a DEFENSIVE BATTLE to reclaim lands lost by FORCE.

[redgolum]

Luther was evil

He was a fallen man. His pamphlet On the Jews and Their Lies is a depressing and fascinating look at the medieval prejudices of the day. Depressing because of the level of anger an hatred to non Christians (Luther had even less use for Muslims), fascinating because it shows the levels of xenophobia of the times. Remember, part of the reason the Reformation took root in Germany is that many people didn't like being told by a Spanish emperor and Italian pope what to do.

Do I agree with Luther on his views on Jews, Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc. NO! Despite that do I admire some of his teachings, yes!

On of the interesting things in America is that we (as Americans) have little cultural memorey. Americans don't have the centuries of history behind them, and by in large Americans are far more open to other cultures than most.

While I understand the suspicion that many Jews in America have toward Christianity, America has not had the type of institutionalized anti Jewish hatred that has plagued other places for so long. I think both Christians and Jews need to look at why the other side is so touchy about somethings, and work from there.

OK, I am getting off the soapbox now :)

[af_vet_1981]

Go READ the book of Maccabees. Judah certainly was no robber, and he led an ARMY in a DEFENSIVE BATTLE to reclaim lands lost by FORCE.

I have a favorable view of Judah Maccabee. I would understand if a Hellenic/Syrian version of his deeds would make him look more like an insurrectionist. I view neither Antiochus Epiphanes, nor Herod, nor Pilate in a favorable light.

The English translation of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John respectively labels BarAbbas
1. a notable prisoner
2. one who had committed murder in the insurrection
3. one who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison
4. a robber

• And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
• And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
• (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
• Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

[af_vet_1981]

He was a fallen man. His pamphlet On the Jews and Their Lies is a depressing and fascinating look at the medieval prejudices of the day.

Hitler was a fallen man. His book Mein Kampf is a depressing and terrifying look at the modern prejudices of the day.

He died hating the Jewish people.

[redgolum]

Luther did horrible things, but not on the level of Hitler. Many of Luthers friends and followers rebuked him, and refused to take him seriously after than.

Hitler went on to oppose Christanity itself.

I am not saying Luther should get a pass, I am only saying that claiming that since Luther had problems, all Christians are evil. If that is the standard, no one can can stand.

[af_vet_1981]

America has not had the type of institutionalized anti Jewish hatred that has plagued other places for so long.

We both thank G-d for this.

[af_vet_1981]

Luther did horrible things, but not on the level of Hitler.

True

Many of Luthers friends and followers rebuked him, and refused to take him seriously after than.

Do you have any links ?

Hitler went on to oppose Christanity itself.

True, and genuine Christians opposed Hitler. Many sacrificed their lives.

I am not saying Luther should get a pass, I am only saying that claiming that since Luther had problems, all Christians are evil. If that is the standard, no one can can stand.

Corrie Ten Boom can stand.

Oskar Schindler can stand.

Pope Pius XII and some members of the Catholic Church under Pius XII helped save upwards of 860,000 Jews from Nazi death camps.

There are many who can stand.

[Ohioan]

I had written: But a much stronger case can be made against Foxman and the ADL by judging from their 91 year history. They are not an organization, honestly trying to promote inter-faith understanding. That has never been the actual thrust of their operation. Rather, they have stirred up resentment in every way they can, first on one side of the religious divide and then on the other.

You responded:

Well, Ohioan, according to the May 11, 2003 issue of the (New York) Daily News, Abe Foxman's salary is $405,609 per year.

Well, you have not disproven my assertion that Foxman is a vicious Fabian Socialist operative. All you have shown is that he is an incredibly greedy Fabian Socialist operative. I never suggested that he was an idealist!

For more on the ADL, among the Leftist groups promoting hatred in America, see How To Identify The Bigot In The Argument and Creating Hate In America Today. They also get mentioned in my article on the ACLU's attacks on religious freedom, and elsewhere.

William Flax

[Polybius]

You responded: Well, Ohioan, according to the May 11, 2003 issue of the (New York) Daily News, Abe Foxman's salary is $405,609 per year.

You left out my punch-line:

"Would you be willing to settle for Peace and Understanding and thereby "Kum-Bah-Ya" yourself out of such a paycheck? :-) "

[redgolum]

Phillip M. Comes to mind, I will try to find the reference in my Luther book at home (I won't even try to spell Phillips last name, but he took the over after Luther began to get senile). The society of that day did not like outsiders as a whole, and the Jewish communities in that part of Europe were viewed as outsiders.

Schildner had his own reasons for saving people out of the holocaust. I am not saying that it was not a heroic act, but that he has some gain from it. Schildner is a good example of someone who decided to work against the system from with in. He took what was supposed to be forced labor, and sheltered them the best that he could.

Pope Pius XII was caught in the middle, and while did save as many as he could, the Vatican had just banned the Jew races a few decades earlier. Pious XII did what he could, but also had some blind spots. There were many Catholic priest in his own Vatican that were evil at that time, and more than likely Pious was unable to do much about them anyway.. There are many who attack him as a leader who should have done MORE to save Jews in Europe.

I am not sure about the other person, but what I meant was if we are all to be judged by our ancestors, natural or spiritual, then we are all in trouble. I did not make that clear enough in my previous post.

[af_vet_1981]

I am not sure about the other person, but what I meant was if we are all to be judged by our ancestors, natural or spiritual, then we are all in trouble. I did not make that clear enough in my previous post.

True

[dangus]

And from what I've read 300,000 is an enormous exaggeration created by British propagandists.

[ambrose]

I don't think anyone can credibly argue that the German Nazi hierarchy were practicing Christians or were motivated by Christianity in their persecution of the Jews.

I took several Holocaust studies courses in college, and that much seemed clear to me. One of the courses was taught by a Jewish professor who survived WWII by hiding out in Catholic convent.

Hitler himself was a Pagan and frequently dabbled into the Occult.

THAT SAID, it also true that the masses of rabble and peasants were often motivated to cooperate with Nazi officials based on the "Christ killer" charges.

It seems like both you and Vet are talking past each other and ignoring the fact that you may both be right and the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Those who hate the Light either run away or try to put it out when it is shined on them

Very similar to the liberal biased press..."they have no bias, its not about them, its about what they have to tell you."

Be on gaurd.

[dangus]

>>"Churchianity" is distinct from "Christianity." It is institutionalism that has undermined the purity of Jesus' teachings.<<

O brother... Christianity is fine, just so long as it remains vague, weak, nebulous, and stripped of its ability to pass itself down generation to generation?

Do you realize how that sounds like "Jewishness is fine, if they would just drop the synagogue and the Talmud"?

[ambrose]

"Churchianity" is distinct from "Christianity." It is institutionalism that has undermined the purity of Jesus' teachings.

O brother... Christianity is fine, just so long as it remains vague, weak, nebulous, and stripped of its ability to pass itself down generation to generation?

Do you realize how that sounds like "Jewishness is fine, if they would just drop the synagogue and the Talmud"?

Do you believe that pedophile priests and ministers that run around saying Jesus believed in abortion have furthered or hindered the spread of Jesus' teachings?

[ambrose]

These types are YOUR ilk in that they do not believe in the 2,000 year old restrictions of the Church, but want to remake all in their own twisted image and have it their way. You are criticizing your own here.

"?" I am expressing my disgust with these heretical and perverted creatures, and yet you claim they are of my ilk? (Scratching my head)