New York, NY, August 7, 2001 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called remarks by a Vatican official "unfounded," saying his attack on Jewish scholars working as part of a joint commission studying the Vatican archives, "could do further harm to the joint efforts of Catholic and Jewish historians." The Rev. Peter Gumpel accused Jewish historians of "clearly incorrect behavior" and charged that they were waging a "slanderous campaign" against the Catholic Church.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

Father Gumpel's attack against the Jewish scholars studying the Vatican's wartime archives is totally unfounded and could do further harm to the joint efforts of Catholic and Jewish historians.

It is essential for the Jewish and Catholic scholars to continue their work in disclosing the Vatican's role during the Holocaust, which must consist of impartial analysis of all relevant historical records so that the truth may emerge. Unfounded accusations can only create further delay in the process.

In his statement, Father Gumpel said that the Vatican does not intend to keep the World War II archives sealed indefinitely. We hope that the Vatican will open the archives fully to historians in an expeditious manner so that light may finally be shed on the Vatican's actions during World War II.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.