Posted on 07/04/2010 3:41:33 PM PDT by BlackVeil
Britain's new government has been caught in an unexpected political crisis as the pope's visit approaches. The Guardian reported Sunday that the speech of Benedict XVI in Parliament will take place on Yom Kippur, which has attracted criticism from the Jewish community and its supporters.
The leader of the Catholic Church will arrive in London in September and is expected to remain in the UK for four days. The jewel in the crown is to be an historic speech before the British Parliament on September 17. The visit already drew criticism in the mainly Anglican kingdom, but the date of the speech has added the Jewish voice to this criticism.
Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness Helen Hayman is among members of Parliament seeking to change the date of the speech to enable Jewish leaders, including the UK's chief rabbi, to attend. Sources in the Foreign Office said that the pro-Jewish group would not be satisfied if the speech was moved forward by a few hours because they need time to prepare for the start of the holy day.
"Sunset on the 17th is Yom Kippur. All that means is the event in Westminster Hall needs to finish in time for Jewish representatives to return home," a spokesperson for the Conservative government said. "That's always been planned for. There's no argument around that. The church and parliamentary authorities have agreed the timing on the day."
The current pope has a murky history in his relationship with Jews since he stepped into the shoes of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. During the last five years he was criticized for his attempts to canonize Pius XII, who led the Catholic Church at the time of the Holocaust, and his decision to accept a Holocaust-denying bishop back into the Church, as well as his initiative to reintroduce the "prayer for Jews" into Church liturgy.
In recent weeks, debate has raged in the lead-up to the pope's visit, and it seems Benedict XVI can expect drama: Two prominent atheist activists have threatened to have him arrested for his part in the Catholic pedophile scandals, while the BBC network is preparing a television program enacting a trial for the pope.
Incredible how they can make the Pope and the Church sound as if they were with the Nazis and teh Holocaust, when nothing could be further from the truth.
Very sad.
Many many priests and nuns died in the Holocaust.
The idea that Pius XII was passive during the Holocaust has been shown to be false. As for the other charges, Christianity is based on the concept that forgiveness and salvation is available and must be offered to all, Jew and Gentile alike. Of course, atheists are not in sympathy with those views. But then, atheists have no real sympathy with Judaism either. They are simply animated by hate.
In other places (not this article) their contribution has been honoured, and survivors are very grateful to them.
However the tone here is very hostile and biased. The article is illustrated with unflattering pictures of the Pope. So it goes ...
A Jewish group just trying to get attention, much like Al Sharpton. That’s all there is to it.
Ratzinger does not seem to have a sense of values.shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiachHe seem not to know the face of YHvH.
If you read the article, the speech is NOT scheduled for Yom Kippur.
Good grief, what next with the Pope bashing?
Some will take every available opportunity to trash the Holy Father and the Church. Most often it's not very polite.
The pope is speaking during a Jewish holiday? Boo-freaking-hoo. Someone should inform them that he's Catholic - not Jewish.
I’m sure if this speech was happening during Ramadan, there would be calls for Jihad against the Pope from the practitioners of that “religion of peace”.
Let me guess; you're under the impression that incoherent posts sound more profound when you close them out by babbling in Hebrew.
No doubt. In this case, its just free publicity to help with fund raising most likely. I really doubt anyone is all that offended by a friggin speech. I’m sure the pope would take the time to meet with these particular Jewish leaders on another day if they were interested.
I think if I were a British Jew, I’d be more concerned about the rising tide of muslim-hatred against them and Israel, as the muslim population grows hideously stronger in Britain. I would counsel the Jews to seek support of their Christian brothers who’s mutuallong-term adversary are the muslims. Or do they think otherwise?
Sounds like they just want to get some publicity by making a fuss.
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Oh lordy. I’d bet these are all liberal leftist Jews who barely celebrate Yom Kippur themselves.
I’m sure that if it’s just a few hours, the Vatican will try to accomodate them. But this is such a ridiculous thing.
He has then been invited, as part of the State visit, to address British society. Representatives of British society will be invited to Westminster Hall to hear the Pope's address.
The Pope was invited, and accepted.Apparently, he didn't set the time of the address at Westminster.
Very true. Unfortunately a few, before the war, even bishops and cardinals...went along with the Nazis too. I've seen the photos...
He seem not to know the face of YHvH.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Let me guess; you're under the impression that incoherent posts sound more profound when you close them out by babbling in Hebrew.
If that is not your LORD, My LORD is a Jew and will always be a Jew
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
and rule the world for a thousand years on
the throne of King Davis in Jerusalem.
the only other choice is the shining one.
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