N W O
New World Order
This image, an extreme anti-semite piece of propaganda from the Nazi era, continues to represent something of the fear and prejudice against Jews today by some uber-traditionalists - mainly those on the fringe of the Roman Catholic Church. (I am not referring to the growing number of Roman Catholics who long for the restoration of the Tridentine rite, and traditional theology and ecclesiology, etc.)
I wrote about such things in the past on the old Abbey-Roads, while the Mel Gibson fracas errupted after his anti-semitic comments during his arrest last year for a DUI. People got mad at me for having stated that I experienced similar hatred concerning Jews in conversations with some more extreme folks who identify themselves as traditional Catholics. In relating my opinion, I stated I believed there was an underlying suspicion of Jews which remains in a portion of the Catholic unconscious. My post was misunderstood by some readers as a sweeping condemnation of all Catholics, and especially traditionalists as being anti-semitic. It was not meant to be that.
Today, at Spirit Daily, which sometimes reads like a Catholic version of tabloid newspapers, Brown posted a link to The Southern Poverty Law Center with an article concerning the attitudes of some extreme traditionalist Catholics towards the Jews as regards the often repeated fear of a Zionist plot to take over the world. (Right or wrong, I usually identify these extremists with, Feeneyites, radical SSPX elements, or sedevacantists, along with many of the Fr. Gruener Fatima people - yet once again - not everyone in these groups!)
My favorite Catholic blog is Roman Catholic Blog- in his post today concerning the same article, he sums up in a few words what I have always tried to express on this subject:
“Part of the problem comes from lumping all the Jews into one category. That isn’t any more accurate than lumping all Catholics into one category, and the potential for confusion and error snowballs from there.
Bottom line: Just as it is unjust to portray all Traditional Catholics as dangerous antisemites, it is equally unjust to make sweeping generalizations about the Jewish people.” Roman Catholic Blog
The article, titled “The Synagogue of Satan” opens with alarming anecdotes that sound much like pre-WWII propaganda against Jews - nevertheless it is contemporary rhetoric (in some circles):
“From a makeshift pulpit inside an Indianna Quality Inn, a baby-faced priest angrily denounces the Jews, saying they mean to “destroy all Christian nations”…The Southern Poverty Law Center
The article goes on from there, reading like an indictment against Traditional Catholicism. Maybe because the source is the Southern Poverty Law Center, the article reminded me of the anti-Catholic rhetoric common in the Southern Bible Belt in the early part of the 20th century. What is reported as traditional Catholic prejuduice against Jews, is exactly that. However, it is not representative of Roman Catholic teaching, especially that which has come down to us from the Second Vatican Council; neither is it representative of the papacy of Benedict XVI, nor his predecessors.
I’m of the opinion that the article, along with the links contained in it - one titled, “The New Crusaders“, may work in well with the contemporary social agenda to discredit the Church and all religion, thus making it the scapegoat for all that ails the world and culture. I cannot say however, that the authors are mistaken in their coverage, it is well researched and well written. Having said that, what is contained in the report may add fuel to the anti-religious sentiment already brewing in the secularist segment of society.
I can’t help but think of the John Lennon lyrics from his song, “Imagine”:
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
January 19th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Important post, Terry.
But I’ll probably read it tonight and may comment tomorrow.
January 19th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Great article and I read the one on Roman Catholic blog, too. I also saw the original article on Spirit Daily - sometimes there is strange stuff there, but also things you cannot find anywhere else. Lew Rockwell had an article about anti-semitic conspiracy theories about a week or so ago which was quite good as well. Having Jewish blood myself, I find this subject especially interesting. Odd that catholics would be so prejuduced when our Lord, Our Lady and the apostles were all Jewish.
St Teresa Benedicta, pray for us!
January 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
In relating my opinion, I stated I believed there was an underlying suspicion of Jews which remains in a portion of the Catholic unconscious.
Terry, I agree with you on a lot of things, but on the above statement I do not.
I don’t understand that assumption at all - we were never taught this in our religious instructions, nor did I ever meet a Catholic who harbored such ill feelings toward their Jewish neighbor. Where I grew up, in a predominantly Jewish area, everyone got along regardless of their religion. And we did discuss our differences, also. Discuss, not argue.
January 20th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Rhapsody, I appreciate where you are coming from. Without going into great detail, all of my life, I have heard from priests and nuns I consider holy, expressing their “suspicions” which is a nice way of saying they were bigots. One very saintly sister, from Ireland, said to me when I told her I was considering voting for Dukakis years ago, “But his wife is a Jewess!”
My father blamed the Jews for our poverty when I was little.
I have more than once heard sober people using the same expressions Mel Gibson used in his drunken stupor. And these are “good Catholics”.
Thank God for your good experiences.
January 20th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I’m sorry that there are/were people who believed this nonsense - I imagine moreso then than now…
It’s a shameful embarrassment to encounter such prejudices, knowing that these people are passing judgements based on such apparently deep-rooted misconceptions. I don’t believe Jesus would approve of any of it - from the judging (who are we to?) to the “gossip” aspect of it(bearing false witness)…
Where’s the charity? Where’s the love thy neighbor? We’re not even talking about enemies here - so where’s does the part about pray for thine enemies come in? & not holding grudges?
& may the Lord have mercy on those of us who still don’t get what He’s really all about.