Pius 12th and the Jews is one of those issues that is impervious to logic, healing, even facts. The whole question of the Jews and the Vatican is overlaid by the great tragedy of the European holocaust. There is the moral authority of the Papacy, and what might have been if the wartime Pope had spoken out. The Italian Jews are still holding their view that Pius’ silence still hurts as a failed action. It makes little difference to point out what was actually done in secret to save Jews from the Nazis. What Pope Benedict has done is really the only way to proceed – go in person to the hurt party’s place, the synagogue, and quietly state the truth as he knows it. He did not mention Pius’ name, but spoke of what was done. He and his successors may have to do this several more times before healing begins. The truth will eventually become through, and will set everyone free The deep hurt held by the Roman Jewish community is based on the holocaust catastrophe and the ambiguity of Pius 12th’s silence, and these cannot yet be separated. Only prayer and the working of God’s Holy Spirit will make that happen. Meanwhile the complete opening of all archival material will ensure transparency

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