Pope says historical wrongs must be recognized for reconciliation

Published: 2003-10-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II said it was important for the church to acknowledge mistakes and shortcomings in its 2,000-year history, and he encouraged others around the world to do the same. Behind many modern conflicts are historical wrongs that need to be recognized objectively before true reconciliation can occur, the pope said in a message to a conference of church scholars. The experts were meeting at the Vatican Oct. 30-31 to commemorate the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII, who died 100 years ago. Pope John Paul said he found Pope Leo an inspiring figure, especially in his openness to the historical sciences. "Like Leo XIII, I, too, am personally convinced that it helps the church to bring to light, as much as possible through the instruments of science, the full truth about its 2,000 years of history," the pope said. Against some resistance among his Vatican advisers, the pope pushed forward a program of "purification of memory" during the jubilee year 2000, with critical examinations of Christian actions during the Crusades, the Inquisition and World War II.

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