Pope must take clearer stance

The controversial reincommunication of four bishops belonging to the Society of St. Pius X including Holocaust denier Richard Williamson has overshadowed the Pope's visit to the Middle East, the daily Trouw writes: "The Vatican Council openly acknowledged in its famous Nostra Aetate (Latin: In our Age) Declaration that the Jews were not responsible for killing Christ and that anti-Semitism must be regarded a crime. By embracing the Pius X Society the Pope has at the very least sown doubt about the significance of this declaration. This doubt is not an insurmountable obstacle for the Pope's visit. After all, both parties have an interest in maintaining good relations. But to truly be able to talk of a 'mission for peace and reconciliation' the Pope needs to speak more clearly - and not just regarding his attitude towards Jews, but also towards Muslims: he also wants reconciliation with them. But in those circles people are still annoyed about his Regensburg speech which was more than just unfortunate, particularly as regards Muslims."

» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Religion, » Middle East

» To the complete press review of Monday, May 11, 2009