Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VATICAN13
2009-01-28 21:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
POPE REMEMBERS THE HOLOCAUST, WARNS AGAINST DENIAL
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UNCLAS VATICAN 000013
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KIRF VT
SUBJECT: POPE REMEMBERS THE HOLOCAUST, WARNS AGAINST DENIAL
REF: A. A. Vatican 10
¶B. B. Vatican 11
1 (U) During his January 28 general audience, on the day after
UN International Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27) , Pope
Benedict XVI stated publicly to an audience of thousands that:
Begin quote (post unofficial translation):
In these days when we remember the Holocaust, I turn to the
memory of the images of my repeated visits to Auschwitz, one of
the camps in which was consummated the savage slaughter of
millions of Jews, innocent victims of blind racial and religious
hatred. While affectionately renewing the expression of my full
and unquestionable solidarity with our brothers, the recipients
of the First Alliance, I hope that the memory of the Holocaust
leads humanity to reflect on the unpredictable power of evil
when it conquers the hearts of man. The Holocaust is a warning
to all against oblivion, against denial or reductionism, because
the violence done against a single human being is violence
against all. No man is an island, wrote a famous poet. Above
all, the Holocaust teaches both old and new generations that
only the arduous journey of listening and dialogue, love and
forgiveness leads the peoples, cultures and religions of the
world to address the hoped for goal of brotherhood and peace in
truth. May violence never again humiliate the dignity of man!.
End quote
¶2. (SBU) Comment: The Pope's strong statement about the
Holocaust would have been natural enough to commemorate the UN
Holocaust Memorial Day. In the context of the current
controversy in Vatican-Jewish relations (reftels),his words
also respond to critics who accuse the Holy See -- or the Pope
himself -- of insensitivity, anti-Semitism or even sympathy for
Holocaust deniers. Whether these remarks will be enough to
satisfy those who have called for a public apology from the
Pontiff remains to be seen. Critics should not, however, expect
the Pope to undo the decision to reinstate the group of bishops
that included the Holocaust denier. End Comment.
NOYES