Protestant View

THE Vatican insists that the visit of the pope to the Holy Land is not political. Apart from the fact that the Vatican is a political entity and that the papacy is essentially a political power, it is clear that many Israelis and Palestinians perceive the visit as political, and are manoeuvring to gain political advantage from it. While the papal nuncio claims that the visit is a "personal pilgrimage" and should be seen on a moral, not a political level, the pope would be acting out of character if he did not have the objective of enhancing the papacy and strengthening its influence. The pope’s aim, said the nuncio, "is to act in the moral sphere to create a new consciousness which could solve a political problem". That does not square with the report that the pope has become "the instant hero of the Palestinian people after he plunged into the political cauldron of the Middle East with what amounted to a stinging indictment of Israel’s conduct."

Certainly, the Vatican is looking at ways in which to whitewash its past complicity in the Holocaust. But we are sure that the hope of the Israeli Chief Rabbi will not be realised: that the pope’s visit will end the debate on the papacy’s public silence during the Holocaust – a cause of continuing bitterness in Israel. The Rabbi fondly hopes that "the pope’s request for forgiveness will be stronger than ever."

The Vatican will not cease to interfere the affairs of other states until the day comes, as it surely will, when the papal antichrist will be destroyed by the power of Christ, the King of nations.

THE farce of the pope publicly confessing the sins of the papacy and praying for forgiveness took place in Rome on Sabbath, 12th March. We say farce, because of course, the basis on which the papacy expects forgiveness is not the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ but its own act of so-called confession, and its claim that this act is one of "courage and humility".

As for confessing the papacy’s complicity in the Holocaust, the term Holocaust conspicuous by its absence. The pope’s prayer of general statements was a far cry from the Scripture requirement that we be specific in confessing our sins. Sad to say, however, such is the spiritual blindness which prevails, that the prayer is applauded as brave and otherwise commendable. It is, in fact, all part of the papacy’s activity of deceiving the nations.

For all his plausible words about praying for reconciliation between nations and religions, the pope and the whole papal hierarchy remain the determined enemies of biblical Protestantism, which continues to be under their condemnation and anathema.

Contents

Previous Article Next Article