Vatican's Involvement In Pope Pius XII

This examination is important in its historical content because it is often debated whether Pope Pius XII and the Catholic Church actually helped or hurt the Jews during the Holocaust. Some claim that he helped to legitimize the Nazi regime and assisted Hitler himself, while others argue that he silently assisted the Jews while still appearing neutral.

Rulers opposed papal power because the canon laws that restricted things the rulers were allowed to do with churches within their kingdom. They would have to get approval from the pope before they did certain things. This forced them to have to make compromises where secular and religious claims coincide.

In the 11th Century, Pope Urban II called the Christians to battle, stating that they should go “carry aid promptly” to their “brethren who live in the east” as they were being attacked by the Turks and Arabs (Pope Urban II). Pope Urban II went on to say that they must “destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends” or else the Christians would be more “widely attacked.” He ended his speech by declaring that “Christ commands” (Pope Urban II) that the people go and assist their Christian brothers. If they did not go and take up this call to arms, they risked the disapproval of the Lord. After the Pope’s speech calling the Christian people to action, many went to the aid of their fellow Christians.

On March 13, 2013 white smoke ushered in a new era within the Roman Catholic Church. For the first time in its history, a Pope from the Americas was chosen to lead. It was expected that the newly elected American Pope, who called himself Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, would help restore the Catholic Church’s reputation, reform the clerical bureaucracy, and reinvigorate Catholic participation. In the first few months of his papacy, that is exactly what he did.

1.The Pope’s Rebellion occurred in 1680 and was an Indian uprising. This uprising was caused because of the Spanish Roman Catholic’s mission in New Mexico began to oppress the natives by attempting to take from their religious customs. The rebels raided through the Providence destroying churches, killing priests, and slaughtering Spanish settlers along the way. After this attack the Spanish needed almost half a century to regain New Mexico for a second time.

The Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II as it is often called, was an Ecumenical Council, (which means it affected the worldwide Christian community) of the Roman Catholic Church. It began on October 11, 1962 under, Pope John XXIII with over two thousand attendants (Hollis 23). The council ended on December 8, 1965, with Pope Paul VI presiding over the council due to the death of Pope John XXIII in 1963. The council consisted of four different sessions convening in the fall of the four years during which the council took place. Topics discussed and debated throughout the council were issues concerning the church, the liturgy, revelation and scripture, and the clergy.

Is it possible for a Pope to be infallible? When one looks at events, such as the Holocaust, the answer of this question becomes twofold. Were Pope Pius XII’s actions an attempt to save the Catholic Church from persecutions or were they a lack of understanding of Hitler’s ethnic cleansing? Nearly six million Jews were slaughtered during the Holocaust, and when the world became aware of the mass murders that were taking place in Europe, World War II became a moral obligation rather than a fight for power. The Allied powers, Nazi resistance group, and even some Catholic groups invaded Germany to not only save Jews, but also to force the Nazis out of power in Germany. Surprisingly, the Vatican did not assist these resistance groups.

So, to make the case of how America could have responded differently would be entirely ineffective. In today’s society many people can see the similarities between the Holocaust and the way we; as a country, treat others from foreign countries. From the Great Depression to the almost “Great Recession”, and the isolation America wanted from other countries to the Muslim Ban that recently had been implemented here within the U.S. Where Nazi Antisemitism and the American Antisemitism that occurs here on a daily basis towards other religious communities and cultures. The real question that needs to be asked is, what can America, and the people of America, do to prevent something like the Holocaust from ever happening

As time constantly presses forward and the earth continues to revolve, the world will never stop progressing and adapting to better suit the needs of mankind. The evolution of religion has greatly enhanced the quality of life for humanity by providing individuals with a strong belief system that is now the foundation of many peoples’ core values. One universal religion that has undergone extensive amounts of reform is Christianity. In particular, the Catholic church is well-known for the development of their famous ecumenical council meetings that help determine the future of the church. Numerous Councils have been conducted throughout the course of history, but none more significant than the most recent, the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II. The Catholic church was operating as if it was still the medieval period and desperately needed to be modernized. As a result, every Roman Catholic Church official was gathered to meet and devise a plan for how to introduce the church to the modern world. Consequently, the following will reveal the Second Vatican Council and the ramifications of the agenda, history and theology evolution, significant texts, and new developments.

Luther historically portrays John Tetzel and his relation with Pope Leo X. Leo wanted to refurbish Rome, with his crowning achievement being St. Peter’s Basilica. To fund this he began to employ Tetzel. Tetzel is describes a being “an unscrupulous man who was willing to make scandalous claims about his wares” such as, “the cross of the seller of indulgences has as much power as the cross of Christ” (Gonzales, History of Christianity, 524). It was to theses claims as well as others that Luther’s Ninety-five Thesis addressed.

In 1887 Lord Action wrote to Bishop Creighton how all men should have the same morals applied to them, especially religious and political leaders. Demonstrated in Donna Woolfolk Cross’ novel, “Pope Joan” where rich white men possessed the most power. Set in the 800s there were people who brandished power like a sword, the people who weren’t allowed to be in power, some have quiet power, and the institutions which are in power.

In 1095 at the Council of Clermont in France, Pope Urban II over exaggerated the danger of the Turks and indicted them in defiling and damaging multiple churches. As part of his objective, he desired to create a Christian army to lead against the Turks. This army of warriors would be under the charge of the papacy and directed to conquer Jerusalem and regain the Holy Land back from non-Christians. Urban’s concept of a justified war would utilize a vast warrior class that exited in Europe at the time and held the promise of bringing the Eastern Church back under the rule of the Pope. The promise of lands and wealth held interest from many but was further enhanced by the popular concept of some preachers that this pilgrimage would bring penance

Pius Xii was a man who placed a great deal of care in the wellbeing of human. This conclusion can be drawn from the actions he made in the face of the man he owes his name sake to, hitler. The pope, starting early began a highly classified program to get jews to safety. He did this by issuing an entire program of saving jews which included lying to the nazi government and risking

During this dark time, the Catholic Church was shepherded by Pope Pius XII, who proved himself an untiring foe of the Nazis, determined to save as many Jewish lives as he could. Yet today Pius XII gets almost no credit for his actions before or during the war.

Is it possible for a Pope to be infallible? When one looks at events, such as the Holocaust, the answer of this question becomes twofold. Were Pope Pius XII’s actions an attempt to save the Catholic Church from persecutions or a lack of understanding of Hitler’s ethnic cleansing? Nearly six million Jews were slaughtered during the Holocaust. When the world became aware of the mass murders that were taking place in Europe, World War II became a moral obligation rather than a fight for power. The Allied powers invaded Germany to save Jews and force the Nazis out of power in Germany. Many Nazi resistance groups, including Catholic groups, aided in the hiding of Jews in Europe. Surprisingly, the Vatican did not assist these resistance