The papacy has long played a crucial role in western civilization.
To many, its history and theology have seemed steeped in hostility
toward the Jews. In the post-World War II era, the initial focus
was on Pope Pius XII's stance during the Holocaust; it soon
expanded, however, to the broader question of the papacy and the
Jews. The present work transcends the thicket of controversy and
provides a historical account of the relationship between the
papacy and the Jews in the modern age, and the interaction between
clerical anti-Judaism and secular anti-Semitism. In light of the
polemical debate this subject has aroused during the past half
century, this is no small task. In this work, acclaimed author and
historian Frank J. Coppa once again proves a capable guide to
exploring the issues. In 1963, Helmut Hochhuth's play "The Deputy"
sparked controversy about Pius XII's role during the genocide and
the general responsibility of previous popes and the Catholic
Church in bringing it about. Some have argued that Pius XII's
"silence" can only be understood in the context of centuries of
Christian "disparagement" of Jews, seeing the differences between
Christian anti-Judaism and Nazi anti-Semitism as one of degree not
of kind, with both contributing to the Holocaust. Others have
denied the Christian roots of anti-Semitism, noting the difference
between clerical anti-Judaism, motivated by religious
considerations, and modern anti-Semitism, based on a racial
ideology. Coppa explores both contentions in examining the
Vatican's response to modern anti-Semitism. This work not only
examines Rome's reaction during the fascist period but delves into
the broader historical development and the impact of theological
anti-Judaism. Coppa contends that developments are seldom, if ever,
driven by a single force but flow from a multiplicity of factors.
While some considerations are more important than others, their
significance is to be determined by historical inquiry rather than
imposed by preconception. He untangles these developments in this
masterful work. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Frank J. Coppa is professor of
history at St. John's University. In addition to Controversial
Concordats: The Vatican's Relations with Napoleon, Mussolini, and
Hitler, published by CUA Press, he is the author or editor of
twenty books. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "Frank Coppa approaches this
controversial subject with admirable clarity and balance. Notable
differences emerge with respect to the attitudes and actions of
successive nineteenth- and twentieth-century popes, culminating in
John Paul II's acknowledgment of, and efforts to mitigate, the
Church's earlier history of anti-Jewish prejudice and oppression.
Coppa's comprehensive, up-to-date bibliography of primary and
secondary sources will be most useful for readers wishing to delve
deeper into this compelling topic."--Steven F. White, Mount Saint
Mary's University "This is a judicious, well-balanced historical
appraisal of the relationship between the Papacy and the Jews in
the modern age. Frank Coppa has explored the Vatican relationship
to traditional anti-Judaism and modern anti-Semitism in all its
dimensions, both positive and negative. Unlike more polemical
studies on the Vatican and the Holocaust, Coppa's book weighs the
historical evidence and seeks to explain the positions taken by the
Papacy toward the Jews in different times and periods. This is an
enlightening and well-balanced study."--Peter Kent, University of
New Brunswick "With this work, Frank Coppa has burnished his
well-deserved reputation as the dean of today's historians of the
modern papacy. Eschewing the polemic and diatribe that too often
characterizes studies on the papacy and the Jews, Coppa presents a
sweeping, yet painstakingly detailed, overview of this difficult
subject. Neither rabid anti-papal writers nor animated apologists
for
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