north shore news Reader angered over articles critical of Pope Dear Editor: I have been disturbed recently by the articles on the Vatican apologies regarding the Holocaust and the com- ments presented by the Jewish groups on Pope Pius XII’s behavior. How many of those criti- cizing the Pope were living in Italy at the time, or living in Rome and can speak from personal experience that Pius XII did not help save Jews from the Nazi cruelty? Pius XIE was a very shy individual regarding the good deeds he did. In all the years of his life, he did not want to te hun- ored for the actions that he said were only his work for God, inspired by God and he personally did not deserve gratitude, but only God need- “ed to be thanked. He was a diplomat and he knew, better than most, thar an open criticism of the Nazi > regime at the time could have . only increased the danger for - the many individuals who, ~ through his silent help, were able to be saved"in the mil- “Hons, I was living in Rome at the time. | I was very young, bur I remember vividly how the ter- ror that the Nazis inspired in all of us was a tangible thing, shivers along the spine and stomach burning with fear. The. church helped thou- sands of Jews, by helping fam- ifies of gentiles, to hide and save those who could be reached in time. My future husband’s father, who in Ferrara helped for afew months to hide the Finzi- Contini, when discovered, was sent to a concentration camp with them, where they perished and he came back a skeleton, soon to die after. Our Princess Mafalda of Savoy was sent to a concentra- tion camp where she died, and do you think that Hitler would have refrained from deporting the Pope if he was openly castigated? The outrage would have been immense, bur all those the Pope, been free in Rome, helped save would they have been saved still or would they have perished? I can tell you that at the time, when our men were some POWs, some hiding with the resistance, the feeling I felt all around me in my grandmother and my mother, was of powerlessness and ter- ror. . But still when they received word from the Vatican that there was a Jewish family to help, they did help. This family was for months hiding in a dead-end corridor behind a great armoire, and one day we were almost dis- covered. I was very little, bur I- remember the SS coming in the house in Search of Jews, and leaving with our bicycles. I remember the eyes of my mother in fear for me, and the trembling hands of my grand- Le nwTrR oDpUoIAN G KIRIUM mother, on mv shoulders, saith fear for all of us. 1 remember thinking that nothing — could happen because the Pope has sent these Jewish friends to us and nobody could hurt us or them. When, a few days after the end of the war, during my confirmation } was received by Pius XIE fora private meet- ing with my family, and while the grown-ups were all kneel- ing in silence in front of him, I asked him if he knew of my uncle who was taken prisoner in El Alamein, and of whom we had lost all news. He did not respond direct- ly, only said: “Let us pray for his return and God will help us help him.” Two months to the day of this request ir was my birth- day, and on the same day, my uncle knocked at the door of my grandparents” heuse, after years of prison camp in Ceylon. Nobody can say that Pius XH did not do enough, “only those without a sin, should cast the first stone,” but unfortunately this seems to be valid only for us Christians, the words of God seem not apply to those that thousand of years ago already were able to cast stones and crucify the innocent, only because they did not understand and did not want to believe. Dr. Fiorenza C. Albert- Howard West Vancouver fiorenza@axionet.com TAGHeuer SWISS MADE SINCE 1860 THE NEW TAO PEUEE SeEORTS WaTcr Unporters of Gemstones, Manufacturers of Fine Jewellery Capilano Mall, North Vancouver 984-2040 Park Royal S., West Vancouver 925-2043 Eaton Centre, Metrotown Burnaby, 430-2040 AN AUTHORIZED TAG HEUER DEALER west, eee EE ER tle eR Be ee Be mt Pra ee RD Mayfair Shopping Centre, Victoria (250) 382-2040 MAIL Box Wednesday, April 8. 1998 — North Shore News - 11 increase pro-life coverage Dear Editor: Thank you for the very interesting report of the meeting of North Shore Pro-Lifers. Ie was enlightening to see it through the eyes of a young journalist — first, chat anyone over 30 years of age looked elderly and, sec- ond, that it was worth remarking chat this par- ticular evening was not violent. He must have been influenced bv all the media reports thar laid the blame on pro-lifers for any crime connected to abortionists, with- outa shred of evidence. It is good to sce that human rights must be considered in our own country even as we point the finger of biame to every other nation. The unborn child is human and needs protec- tion before as well as atter birth as the United Nations declared many vears ago. T hope we will sce more on this subject in F. Daniel your pages in the near future. North Vancouver Mulroney memory a joke Dear Editor: What a great joke for Apri! 1 (North Shore News) headlines “North Van to Land Mulroney Museum”. Isn't it amazing how these things just happen? Can anyone think of a good reason why we on the West Coast need to be reminded of the ‘Mulroney Era?” There are so many good uses that the site in question could be used for, since it is our taxpayers’ dollars that are being spent, how about: 1) Employing all the unemployed to dig a bot- tomless pit, and use the soil to build a causeway across to Vancouver? 2} Creating a multi-lan- guage school for potential future ministers of immigra- tion (minimum of 65 lan- guages)? 3) Building a huge imita- ton tree and axe for “bury- ing the harchet?” rererer ars FANNY'S 4) Creating an enormous fish farm to replace the depleted fishing industry? 5) Build a new shipyard to enable us to produce more fast ferries, at great loss to the economy? The list ts endless, bur a . Museum of Mulroney mem- orabilia, who needs iv Ralph Meyer West Vancouver P | Enjoy the cornforts ‘of home! Make a cottage your holiday base. 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