Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – After the 50th anniversary of the death of Servant of God Pius XII, known as Eugenio Pacelli prior to his election as Pope, the International Holocaust Investigation Yad Vashem and the Studium Theologicum Salesianum, Saint Peter and Paul, will hold a joint study session March 8 and 9, evaluating the present state of the investigation on Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust.
Historians will share the results of their studies, to respond to a series of questions on the controversy underway. The historians and scholars, who will offer an international flavor to the event, come from two schools of thought, those who criticize Pius XII and those who appreciate his work. The scholars participating in the encounter include: Sergio Minerbi, Paul Oshea, Michael Phayer, Susan Zuccotti, Thomas Brechenmacher, Jean-Dominque Durand, Grazia Loparco, Matteo Luigi Napolitano, Andrea Tornielli.
The opening session will be led by Avner Shalev, President of the Directive Committee of Yad Vashem and Archbishop Antonio Franco, Apostolic Nuncio in Israel. The conversations will be moderated by Fr. Roberto Spataro, for the Studium Theologicum Salesianum, and Dr. Iael Orvieto, for Yad Vashem.
In recent years, many books and articles have shed light on new material that should be confronted and analyzed to see if there is something new or something that should be revised.
Among the various arguments that the historians will address are: the time prior to the papacy of Pius XII, the relationship with the German Bishops, Pius XII and the Holocaust, the situation in Italy during the time of the Holocaust, and the period following the Holocaust.
There is currently a controversy in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum over the activity of Pius XII. Historians and thinkers have not ceased to debate the issue. For some, he was an indifferent spectator of the Holocaust who, with his silence, permitted this great tragedy. Other researchers and historians, on the other hand, have been defending a completely opposed hypothesis that offers a positive evaluation of Pius XII's work: he acted in such a way to limit however he could, the effects of the Holocaust, at times without efficient results. The latter historiographical position is based on historical archives and oral and written testimonies of people of the time. The authors who praise Pius XII's work in saving the Jews, do so regardless of their own ethnic or religious backgrounds. There are also several Jewish scholars among them.
Until now a climate of cordiality and respectful listening has been conserved among the institutions involved in this event that, according to all concerned, will lead to an agreement on the present text of the legend at Yad Vashem. (FDR) (Agenzia Fides 6/3/2009)
