Rise in incidents of anti-Semitism alarms European church leaders

Published: 2004-05-20

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- When neo-Nazi vandals desecrated 127 Jewish graves at Herrlisheim, France, May 1, it was the latest incident to fuel fears of revived anti-Semitism in Europe. Gathering a week later for prayers with Jewish and Muslim leaders, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger of Paris called the attack "a negation of faith and humanity." Experts agree these incidents represent an alarming trend in a continent where 6 million Jews were slaughtered during World War II. "Anti-Semitism never went away in Europe -- even after the Shoah, it still existed," said Father Patrick Debois, head of the French church's Commission for Dialogue with Judaism. "What's different now is it's no longer taboo. At one time, people didn't dare speak ill of the Jews, because of the proximity of the Holocaust. Today, they no longer feel burdened by this dark legacy," he said.

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