Well, Susan, we need to get some more women in here discussing it, too.:-) You know I am not religious, but spiritual, and I DO have opnions on this subject!*smile*

**Feminist Alert** It is important to note that it has been men, in most cases, who have carried out the power-tripping, etc., as mentioned above, of most religions of the world. Can't really think of any instance in which a band of women started their own religion and exerted as much might and power as the examples above.

I don't really see too much need for apologies for past deeds of the lond-dead leaders, BUT I do have a problem with support of regimes which perpetuate some of the same policies of obfuscation, etc. Just as a "for instance," the Vatican refusing to open any archives after 1922, as I pointed out in 1998. I would have a problem supporting an org. which obfuscates, esp. to this degree. And, I am NOT picking on you, Joe. This just happens to be one account inolving the Catholic Church.:

"Recently, the Vatican was once again called upon to open its World War Two archives. In particular, a final report, which came out of a 41 nation conference on tracing gold stolen by the Nazis, noted the Vatican's lack of response to calls for opening the files.

According to Catholic World News, the Vatican denies claims it received gold stolen from Gypsy concentration camp victims. It also reported the Vatican considers its archives to be about spiritual, private matters which must be protected.

Countries which participated in the recent conference, held in London, agreed there was an urgent need to distribute cash to Holocaust victims, especially as many of them are elderly and, some, in great need of financial aid. While the Vatican originally had two representatives at the conference as participants, they changed their classification to observer status before it actually began.

The Tripartite Gold Commission, created by the Allies after the war to decide how to distribute the stolen gold, will open its own archives in the next few weeks. It is estimated the Nazis stole anywhere from $650 million to $7 billion.

In 1995, Pope John Paul II gave a lengthy speech on the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War Two. In it, he specifically noted, "the church wishes to listen in particular to the plea of all the victims." He went on to say that the "culture of peace" is built not only by rejecting intolerance and racism, but also "by keeping economic and political ambition within due limits."

If the Pope really meant what he said, he should open the archives immediately. While the Vatican practices the fine art of religious obfuscation and deflection, many who have never forgotten their own personal suffering and that of their families at the hands of the Nazis, languish in forgotten byways of poverty. Many have given up hope of restitution in this cruel, forgetful world.

Opening of Vatican archives has been frozen at 1922, ostensibly to respect the privacy of those people mentioned in them. One wonders how they can continue to deny allegations of being in league with the Nazis by receiving stolen gold, while refusing to shine the light of truth on such records. Protecting individuals' privacy is a small matter compared to righting a great injustice, partially perpetrated by the entire world at the time. One would give such individuals the benefit of the doubt and ask what they did or have which needs such stringent guarding. If they were right and just, they would have nothing to protect, right?

During the Inquisition, the Church was omnipotent. It controlled most of society, both spiritually and secularly. Its actions could be and were blatant in the righteousness of power and avarice. People were tortured and burnt, their lands and belongings and wealth added to the Church coffers or spread amongst those in society who were equally culpable.

In the New World, the Church perpetrated equally outrageous crimes against the First Americans, through not only deadly diseases, but also through near cultural annihilation, banning any use of traditional languages, medicines, religion, and way of life.

Amazingly enough, the Church still seems to have some good points. Many people still belong to the Roman Catholic church, including many of those whom it originally oppressed.

As former victims, perhaps they can appeal to the Vatican in behalf of the indigent Gypsies, the Jews and others who suffered so terribly at the hands of the Nazis. Perhaps they can urge the Pope to really "listen to the plea of the victims" and open up the archives. Perhaps it is time for the Church to, in the Pope's own words, "ponder our responsibilities, to forgive and to ask forgiveness." Anyone have time for a little "confession?"

Copyright 8/27/1998 K. LaFrance
All rights reserved