Vatican Apology on Holocaust

Re “Vatican Apology on Holocaust Too Vague, Some Say,” March 17: Cardinal Edward J. Cassidy called the Vatican act of repentance “more than an apology.” This might be a classic case of two cultures’ confusion caused by different language.

I believe the report and its “more than an apology” is directed toward the Jews. If this is the case, the Vatican should be sensitive to these language differences. If the report is truly meant to be an apology to the Jews, then Pope John Paul II should clarify and use the words, “We apologize to the Jewish people and the Jewish nation for the inaction of the Catholics.”

I do not understand why the church cannot also apologize, as well, for the inaction of the church, as an institution, even if the pope does not want to name Pope Pius XII personally. This does seem to be a gaping hole!

SHAYA KASS

Los Angeles

*

Your editorial mentioned that there is no true memory for the future without opening the Vatican archives. Let’s do it! Then what, more finger-pointing?

If Pius XII had broken more silence, would Hitler and the other madmen of the Axis powers have responded rationally? Should Pius have demanded that all Catholic soldiers for Italy and Germany lay down their arms, roll over and play dead?

It’s easy for those to speak, as we’ve found, who didn’t have the responsibility for action. Also, as Napoleon said, “How many battalions does the pope have?” Should Pius have started a conscription process to eventually get the Swiss guards mobilized?

NOD MULVILLE

Pacific Palisades