Pope asks panel to look into anti-Semitic writings of would-be saint

Published: 2005-06-13

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has formed a commission of church experts to study whether anti-Semitic writings by a French priest should prevent his planned beatification, sources in Rome said. Father Leon Dehon, founder of the Sacred Heart of Jesus religious order, had been scheduled to be beatified by Pope John Paul II April 24. After the pope died April 2, the ceremony was expected to be rescheduled for later in the year. But recent publicity about Father Dehon's writings on the Jews prompted objections from the French bishops' conference, the French government and some Jewish groups. Pope Benedict has temporarily blocked the beatification until the situation can be clarified, Rome sources said June 13. According to the French Catholic newspaper La Croix, the problems were caused by seven texts written by Father Dehon, who lived 1843-1925. The newspaper quoted the priest as writing that the Jews were "thirsty for gold" and "united in their hatred of Christ."

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