ëBridges of Understandingí

May I commend the Register, March 29-April 4 highly for your excellent and comprehensive coverage of the Vatican commission's statement on the Holocaust ("Holocaust Document Falls Short of Jewish Expectations"). Also the interview with Dr. Eugene Fisher of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops was most incisive and informative ("Catholics & Jews: Sorting Out a Tormented History").

As the founder and chairman of the American Forum for Jewish and Christian Cooperation, I have long labored to build “bridges of understanding” between the Jewish and Christian communities. Much misunderstanding and distrust is still all too prevalent. Dr. Fisher's analysis plus the Vatican statement needs to be reprinted in pamphlet form and made available to every rabbi, Jewish professional, the Jewish press worldwide, and all lay leadership. We are ready to assist in this endeavor. Again, my gratitude to the Register for its coverage.

Rabbi David Ben-Ami

Washington, D.C.

Breaking the Silence

At last! Through the crucible of the bloodiest century in the history of humankind, two great religions break their silence and attempt to deal with the magnitude of the crimes in the Shoah of 6 million Jews and the Holocaust of the untold millions of aborted babies through the world ("Holocaust Document Falls Short of Jewish Expectations,” and “Rabbis Join Outcry Against Partial-Birth Abortion,” March 29-April 4). The Vatican, taking its “first step” in a commitment to seek out truth in the Church's historical role during World War II, and 64 rabbis, in a public declaration, joining the Christian outcry against partial-birth abortion. I would liken these two events to the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

However, there will be those who will say, “Not enough! The Church still has sins to confess!” And the pro-life movement will ask, “Where have the rabbis been in the past 25 years?” The old adage “silence gives approbation to evil” could be applied here in equal measure. The question remains: Are the silenced voices of the victims satisfied?

Arlene Sawicki

South Barrington, Illinois

Defending Pius XII

Thank you for your fine editorial, “The Black Legend of Pius XII” (March 29-April 4). I am a World War II veteran and also go back to the time when Bishop Noll pioneered speaking the truth through Catholic journalism in an anti-Catholic climate.

Your editorial seems to be one of the few presentations of truth to the American public about the Black Legend. Some of the editorials and syndicated columns in the secular press, one of which was written by a Catholic, leads one to suspect their credentials. If secular journalists do not know world history, what credibility do they have in other subjects?

Thank you for presenting the truth about what really happened during World War II. Pope Pius XII was not only not silent during World War II, but in the eyes of its veterans, the slander against this saintly man is refuted by the secular history of the war itself.

You are making a great contribution to the faithful in upholding their sacred Catholic heritage.

Lawrence Severson

Albany, New York