Posted on 03/11/2004 3:05:51 PM PST by 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.
Can you give an example of Christians killing Jews in the past century for killing Christ? Think before you answer. The Nazis hated Christianity. You need to get with the times and start to realize that true Christians are the best friends the Jews have in this world. As a matter of fact, in this country, the Christian Right is, in many respects better friends to Isreal than American Jews.
First of all, chill out. Failing that, you can KMA.
but also your "neo-con" comment betrays your own vicious prejudices.
What it says is that I argued on this board (you could look it up if you could settle down for a second) against the so called "paleo-cons" who argued against the Iraq war and support for Israel. I was the staunchest of staunch supporters of Israel, seeing what the Muslims did to my own country. I'm disallusioned now because of hateful people EXACTLY like yourself attacking my faith as violence inducing. I have to wonder, why make all those middle easterners mad for economic aid for a nation of people who think underneath my shirt is a NAZI symbol. Its quite disheartening.
However, had Jews been spending the last two thousand years persecuting Christians instead of the reverse, you might have had a point.
See, its crap like this that is getting old. There hasn't been a pogom since the 16th century, and never once in my country, all localized to Europe (which is antiSemetic because its just generally xenophobic), yet you paint this picture specifically to attack me for absolutely no constructive reason other than to say that practicing my religion is wrong.
Sure you did. You compared him to Nathan Hale. Keep in mind that the Gospel says nothing about who the insurrection was against, and that Barabas was clearly chosen because he the worst of the lot.
I understand, its just a sensitive subject and certain viewpoints will be roundly condemned, on that threat you reacted to Boteach as being called a liberal, but didn't discount his points. That looks bad, just as it looked bad when you chose to post from the LA Times that clearly false letter that people mocked and you defended its authenticity--again looking combative. If you aren't indeed poking eyes, and I take you at your word, than it is important to be careful in framing the debate.
This is a moot point. The original contention was that Jews were being killed in revenge for Christ. The Holocaust had zero to do with Christ. Next example?
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.
Perfect. Correct. Veritas.
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 Rabbi want Rome to abandon the True Faith. Period.
The film "makes us go back to a period before the Second Vatican Council," the rabbi contended.
That is a good thing Rabbi, a very good thing.
Is 1946 after the 16th century ?
I suppose the garden was also "Satan's garden" by your logic."
Imagine the horror if he/she realized that it was 'Satan's World' that Jesus was redeeming.
I also saw a notebook back in high school with a picture of a dude with a van Dike and horns. I assume that must have been 'Satan's notebook'.
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