New York, NY, June 30, 2004 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the news that the Vatican has released more material from its archives from the period of the papacy of Pius XII, some of which makes reference to actions of the Church concerning Jews during the Holocaust.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Gary Bretton-Granatoor, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs, issued the following statement:

It is our hope that an examination of the recently released material will add to an understanding of the Church's actions during the Holocaust. 

 

However, there are important archives that continue to remain closed to public scrutiny.  Until all relevant material is made available, as well as an examination of documents contained within the diplomatic pouches of European nations and the United States, the many questions concerning the Church and the Holy See's actions during that dark period remain unanswered

We urge the Vatican to move quickly to make more documents available so that this long-running debate will be brought to a close.