WORLD - the Vatican protests the building of a mosque in Nazareth, Israel, near a Catholic church - this and other items are discussed - Brief Article

National Catholic Reporter, Dec 10, 1999 by Matt Kantz

Vatican blasts Israelis over mosque construction

The Vatican sharply criticized the Israeli government for "fomenting divisions" between religions by allowing construction of a mosque near a Catholic church in Nazareth.

The blunt Vatican statement by spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls was issued Nov. 23 as the cornerstone of the new mosque was placed on a lot adjacent to the Basilica of the Annunciation.

Muslim militants occupied the site nearly two years ago and announced plans to build a mosque; in October, the Israeli government stepped in and approved a smaller mosque for the site. Outraged church leaders in the Holy Land closed churches for two days Nov. 22-23 to protest the government decision.

The brief Vatican statement was its sharpest comment yet on the controversy. "The decision of the Israeli government seems to lay the groundwork for future contrasts and tensions between the two religious communities, Christian and Islamic," Navarro-Valls said. "I think the political authorities have a great responsibility in this case, because instead of favoring unity they are creating a foundation for fomenting divisions."

The spokesman noted that Muslims leaders in Palestine had recently asked that the mosque not be built next to the Nazareth basilica, thus showing their "solidarity with the Christian church authorities in the Holy Land."

Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a Nov. 24 statement that the decision "stemmed from its attentiveness to the sensitivities of its citizens and the need to uphold freedom of religion for all." The Foreign Ministry also noted that attempts by the Supreme Muslim Council of Jerusalem and other Islamic bodies to prevent or postpone the construction of the mosque were rejected by the Nazareth Muslim community.

Catholic-Jewish committee to study Vatican archives

The Vatican and an international committee of Jewish leaders said Nov. 23 that six Catholic and Jewish scholars have been chosen to study Vatican archive documents in an attempt to resolve the controversy over whether Pope Pius XII could have done more to avert the Holocaust.

The Vatican said the scholars will prepare a joint report on their "findings and conclusions" on one of the most contentious issues in Catholic-Jewish relations. It gave no indication of when the report would be issued.

The Catholic scholars are Eva Fleischner, professor emeritus of Montclair (N.J.) State University; Fr. Gerald P. Fogarty, a Jesuit and a University of Virginia religious studies professor; and the Rev. F. John Morley, a Holocaust scholar at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

The Jewish scholars are Michael R. Matrus, history professor and dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto; Bernard Suchecky, research director at the Free University of Brussels; and Roberts S. Wistrich, Jewish studies professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Australian study examines clerical sexual abuse

Clerical sexual abuse is a "direct result" of unequal treatment of men and women in the church, according to a draft report commissioned by the Australian bishops' conference.

Though confidential, a summary of the report appeared in the Nov. 25 Sydney Morning Herald. A spokesperson for the Australian bishops confirmed the substance of the Herald story.

"As long as the culture of the church does not put men and women on a basis of true equality, then women and children will remain vulnerable to abuse," the report states. "It seems probable that the enshrining of power, position and superiority in a male priesthood through the structures and cultures of the church contributes to a climate in which sexual offenses against women can more readily occur."

The report notes that the rates of sexual abuse among Catholic clergy are no higher than for adult males generally. It suggests that attitudes toward celibacy may contribute to the sexual abuse of children by clergymen.

"It was clear from he responses that certain offenders believe that by engaging in sexual offenses with children they have observed the rules about adult women vis-a-vis celibacy," it said.

The report cited the inappropriateness of celibacy for a "considerable number" of clergy, an emphasis on intellectual rather than emotional readiness for ministry, images of God that emphasize lordship and control, "hibernation" from psychological growth in seminaries and a lack of authentic social interaction on clerical life as contributing factors.