Did Pope Francis Condemn the Catholic Protest Against a Syncretistic "Memorial Liturgy" in Buenos Aires? A Riddle.

(Rome / Buenos Aires ) there is currently quite a mystery to an alleged condemnation. Pope Francis is supposed to have  "condemned the interference in a memorial service in Buenos Aires commemorating the 1938 November Pogrom" to a representative of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) which the Catholic press agency reported in German-speaking countries, citing the World Jewish Congress. Young Catholics protested on 12 November in Buenos Aires with a statement against the profanation of the cathedral by a syncretistic Jewish-interfaith "memorial liturgy" (see separate report Young Catholics protest against "misuse" of the Cathedral of Buenos Aires to Jewish "commemorative liturgy" ). On the part of the Vatican, however, there is not even any confirmation of these declarations, even an acknowledgment of the audience.

According to the World Jewish Congress on Tuesday Pope Francis received Claudio Epelman from the Latin American Jewish Congress (LAJC).  Epelman was participating at a meeting of the International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz (KAICIID) on Monday and Tuesday in Vienna.

According to the World Jewish Congress, the Pope told to Epelman: "aggression can not be an act of faith." A statement that the WJC placed on its website described the "vociferous protest," meaning the Rosary in Buenos Aires. In addition, the WJC said the Pope affirmed that Christians "must not preach intolerance" and such "militancy must be overcome." The World Jewish Congress reaffirmed its opinion that the "followers of the SSPX" had acted to "disturb" the memorial.

Claudio Epelman, has been "friends" with Bergoglio since his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and praised the clear words of the Pope in the past condemned anti-Semitism, says the WJC.

So far the description only comes from the World Jewish Congress on its website. The message was only accepted in the Catholic area of the Catholic media in the German language, as well as of the German editors of Vatican Radio. Other editors of Vatican Radio have not accepted the message, neither the Italian or Spanish-speaking Catholic media. Also Pagina Catolica, which had called the protest against the Jewish-interfaith "worship", yet knows nothing of a statement of the Pope regarding the incident in the cathedral.

On the official website of the Vatican there is no indication of an audience. Epelman is neither included in the audience list, nor is there from any confirmation that the Holy See had an audience and even less of a statement about the contents. According to the Vatican, Epelman was received by Pope Francis, along with other religious leaders shortly after the conclave on 20 March as a member of the delegation of the World Jewish Congress on 2 September ( see separate report ).

As LAJC-General, Epelman had condemned the protest and the prayer of the young Catholics last week. He spoke of an expression of "fundamentalism and intolerance." He accused the young Catholics of the "fanaticism" and accused them of wanting to have prevented the "memory of the murder of six million Jews," and that they would "deny the existence of others." However, the declaration of the young Catholics was te exact opposite.

Archbishop Poli With Other Confessions and Religious
 Representativesat the Jewish Inter-religious Memorial Liturgy

The incident made clear that in addition to political and religious complexes within the Catholic Church there seems to be some confusion. Likewise, that between religions, despite the officially maintained dialogue, there is little mutual understanding. Amazingly, the Jewish side, where at least a certain astonishment would be expected on why a Jewish commemoration with a "worship" takes place in of all things in a Catholic context, must immediately assume anti-Semitism, while the young Catholics are not concerned with a Jewish, but a Catholic question. It was not about the non-Catholic "guests" who came to the cathedral, but the Catholic Archbishop, who presented the cathedral for a non-Catholic event. The young Catholics had previously asked the Archbishop unsuccessfully in writing and with a public appeal, to not open the church for a non-Catholic "liturgy". The incident reveals a lack of willingness to dialogue by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, facing the faithful. He also demonstrated unwillingness to address the Catholic and non-Catholic participants of the "memorial service" to acknowledge the written statement distributed to the attention of young Catholics. The "memory" of 12 November also raises the question of whether the officially maintained upper-level inter-religious dialogue is on the right track in the details. Even so it is astonishing, is the reflex with which the German-speaking Catholic media immediately adopted the ultimately anti-Catholic message of the World Jewish Congress. A reflex that perhaps would require an inquiry.

Maybe tomorrow you can learn from the mouth of Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi more about the alleged statements by Pope Francis' Claudio Epelman, if an audience had ever taken place.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Photo: Info Catolica
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
  Link to katholisches....
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Pope Francis Reminds Jews About Pius XII's Sacrifices And Suffering Christians in the World Today

(Vatican) Pope Francis received representatives of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in audience today. On this occasion, the Catholic Pontiff recalled the "suffering exclusion and real persecution" of many Christians around the world. He also reiterated his condemnation of "any form of anti-Semitism." The Pope expressed his "appreciation" for the work of the Simon Wiesenthal Center , "to combat all forms of racism, intolerance and anti-Semitism, to keep alive the memory of the Shoah, and to promote mutual understanding through education and social commitment".

Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance to pass on to younger generations, "not only the knowledge of the history of Jewish-Catholic dialogue about the difficulties experienced and the progress made in recent decades." It is applicable "above all" in order "to convey passion for the encounter with the other and get to know, through the promotion of an active and responsible involvement of our youth." The Pope also said: "I encourage you to continue the to value you in the joint effort to convey, to reject walls and build bridges between our cultures and faith traditions."

Four Meetings with Jewish Organizations in Four Months -  No to Anti-Semitism Four Times

In addition to a larger number of messages and letters to Jewish institutions it was the fourth meeting with senior Jewish officials within four months, in which Pope Francis issued a clear rejection of anti-Semitism and emphasized Catholic-Jewish friendship emphasized.

We kicked off the audience for the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultatations (IJCIC) last June. At that time, the Pope described the Jews as "elder brothers" of Christians and said, "Because of our common roots, a Christian can not be an anti-Semite" He stressed the long friendship between Christians and Jews, and encouraged continuation on this path.

On the 2nd of September, Francis received the leadership of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) under the WJC President Ronald Lauder. The Pope reiterated his statements made ​​in June and added, "To be a good Christian, it is necessary to understand Jewish tradition and history."

Francis recalls Catholics helping Jews during the War under the Direction of Pope Pius XII.

On the 11th of October the Pope received a delegation from the Jewish Community of Rome, whom he addresses as "beloved friends". The "oldest" Jewish community in "Western Europe", had often experienced "misunderstanding and real injustices" in the past two thousand years. "But with God's help" we have made ​​"friendly and brotherly relations for many decades," the Pope said. He recalls the help of many Catholics for the Jews during the Second World War and the fact that "many monasteries, institutes and papal basilicas at the request of the Pope" accepted Jews.

In this context, Pope Francis identified this as "grace, a grace because it was" that he could afford as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, a contribution to the "closeness and friendship" with the Jewish community.

It was shortly after his inauguration into office on March 22nd that a first meeting of the new pope with a Jewish delegation took place. Israeli President, Shimon Peres was the first head of state Pope Francis received in audience after his election. The meeting was held last April 30th.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: L'Osservatore Romano
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to katholisches...

Note: Simon Wiesenthal himself was a terrible fraud. Even Israeil intelligence thought so. AMGD

What Did the Holy Father Really Say to World Jewish Congress Leaders -- Violent Polemics in Poland

(Warsaw) The Jewish-friendly words that Pope Francis said on Monday to the Chairman of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) , who was also appreciative of this praise, is cause for violent polemics in Poland. The official statement from the Vatican about the audience granted by the Pope to the highest leadership of the WJC, and the official statement of the WJC did not meet with overall approval.

While the Vatican did not mention it, it was in the WJC statement that had been discussed  concerning Jewish affairs in Europe. In this context it came to Kosher  laws of ritual slaughter and the ban on circumcision that have been complained against by the most prominent and influential Jewish organization as "anti-Jewish". The WJC told the Pope of a "new anti-Semitism" and described in this context, Poland. A connection that offends many Poles and even Polish Church  circles.

"Special order" for Cardinal Koch in Poland? - Papal solidarity with Jews Meeting Criticism

More so the criticism  was concerned that Pope Francis, did not defend the Poles, but that he should affirm the Jewish criticism. The WJC statement said that the Pope had shown himself "concerned" about  ritual slaughter and Cardinal Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity was commissioned  "to investigate" the mattter and within the convene a special meeting next week.

The papal "solidarity" with Jews and papal "investigations" against Poland have caused a significant storm in the Polish press. In the media the Pope's  statement  is referred to as "inappropriate". The tone of criticism is, however, significantly immoderate in its choice of words. On the streets you can hear violent statements in a mixture of disappointment, misunderstanding and outrage. A woman in Krakow  of about 40 is visibly upset about the question of the papal statement, who offers the counter-question:  "Will the Pope not defend us? We are Catholics. Why is he defending the Jews who deny Christ?" The surrounding women, who come straight from their shopping, concur with her.

Vatican spokesman Lombardi Denies the World Jewish Congress

Meanwhile, is was also reported in the Jerusalem Post . On Tuesday, the matter  appeared in the daily meetings of Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi where it was discussed with journalists. Lombardi was forced to correct the statement of the World Jewish Congress. "There is no particular order of the Pope to Cardinal Koch regarding the rules for animal slaughter in Poland,"  said the Vatican spokesman.

The conflict over Jewish ritual slaughter had broken out in Poland, after the Constitutional Court had been called to  determine the method unconstitutional because of animal cruelty. It sparked violent protests by Jewish organizations in Europe and at the international level. The Jewish organizations spoke of a "devastating impact on religious freedom".

Polish Parliament Rejected a Special Permit for Jewish Ritual Slaughter

Recently  the Polish majority in Parliament rejected a bill from the bourgeois-liberal government that would allow the Jewish ritual slaughter again. The government based this decision one one taken by the EU policy in January  that allowed the Jews ritual slaughter. Israel, too, has been active in diplomatic parquet and described the Polish ban on ritual slaughter as "totally unacceptable".

The reactions of  Jewish organizations did not impress the Polish majority. The solidarity of the Pope had, however, not  been expected in Poland. Accordingly, most of the discussions are vigorously concerned with a little "Who done It," as to what Pope Francis had really told the delegation of the WJC.

The controversy also coincides with the accreditation of the new Polish Ambassador to the Holy See. Piotr Nowina-Konopka, will pay his first official visit to the Pope on Monday.

The Close Proximity of the Argentine Pope to Judaism

The Polish reactions takes the friendship and closeness to the Pope of Argentine Jews into the public spotlight. With the rabbi of Buenos Aires, the then Archbishop Bergoglio an interview book. The hospitality he gave Jewish organizations, including the Masonic B'nai B'rith,  in Catholic churches, was not without controversy even before his election as Pope in Catholic circles in Argentina. Even as Pope his audiences for Jewish leaders or representatives of Jewish organizations and his messages to the Jewish religion and to the Jewish Community in Rome is recognized this particular area. At a reception for high WJC representatives in June Francis Pope had said: "Because of the common roots  a Christian can not be an anti-Semite." On Monday, he reiterated this statement and added that a Christian to be a "good Christian" who has to understand Jewish history and tradition. [Never mind that most Catholics, even in Buenos Aires, don't know aught about Catholicism.]

In Poland, these statements are now being discussed and partly criticized. Although the intention of the June statement was clear, the choice of words, was yet inappropriate, because what is the name of "anti-Semite" exactly. The Monday Statement is ambiguous, because what was meant by "Jewish history and tradition." Jewish history and tradition of the Old Testament or today? Why must a person, to be a good Christian, know the history and traditions of the Jews after the birth of Christ?

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: traditions catholica

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com 

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