German anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, criticizes the canonisation of the Italian Carlo Acutis

Commissioner Klein calls for addressing anti-Judaism

Skepticism regarding Christian-Jewish dialogue

The German anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, criticizes the canonisation of the Italian Carlo Acutis. He is concerned about anti-Jewish aspects. Klein also comments on Christian-Jewish dialogue – and on the Pope.

On September 7, Carlo Acutis, an Italian who died at the age of 15, will be canonised. The decision is controversial in one aspect. Acutis (1991-2006) is known, among other things, as a "cyber apostle" and "patron of the internet" because, in addition to his piety, he was also involved in digital activities. He is also said to have been concerned with "Eucharistic miracles," i.e., unexplained occurrences related to consecrated hosts.

Among the critics of the canonisation is the Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Semitism, Felix Klein. He believes that anti-Jewish aspects in the context of "Eucharistic miracles" were not taken into account in the Church's decision. The Catholic News Agency (KNA) spoke with Klein about this, the state of Christian-Jewish dialogue, and the new Pope.

KNA: Why do you criticise the canonisation of Carlo Acutis?

Klein: From a religious perspective, I obviously cannot comment on this step. I criticize the fact that the fact that some of the "Eucharistic miracles" led to the murder of Jews seems to have played no role in the process leading to canonization. Some of the miracles that Acutis compiled in a list during his lifetime as a young man involve blood hosts. In the historical context, this was accompanied by accusations of ritual murder against Jews – and, with it, fatal attacks on them.

KNA: A blood host means that blood is supposedly present on the host. The background is said to be an alleged desecration of the host. This, for example in the form of theft, has often been blamed on Jews throughout history, who have subsequently repeatedly become victims of violence.

Klein: Yes. And it is urgently necessary that this aspect be discussed and addressed by those responsible in the Catholic Church, not only upon request. Now would be the opportunity to comment on it. And this opportunity should not be squandered lightly, given the historical backdrop of truly horrific acts of violence against Jews. Sixty years after the Vatican declaration "Nostra aetate" on the Church's relationship with Judaism this year, there seem to be increasing blind spots regarding its own anti-Jewish history.

KNA: Where do you see the Christian-Jewish dialogue today? "Nostra aetate" is considered the beginning of the official Jewish-Catholic dialogue.

Klein: The Christian-Jewish dialogue has generally been very strong in recent years, but is currently under just as much pressure. While no bridges have been burned, as in the Jewish-Muslim dialogue, it has become more difficult to carry out joint projects, for example. There are long-established structures, but I don't see anything new in terms of major actions and initiatives at the moment. Unfortunately, as far as I know, no major events are planned for the 60th anniversary of "Nostra aetate."

KNA: Those involved in the dialogue speak of a turning point marked by October 7. October 2023, when the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel, triggering the Gaza War. Statements by the now-deceased Pope Francis on the situation in the Middle East were also criticized by Jews as one-sidedly favoring the Palestinians. How do you assess these events?

Klein: The war in the Gaza Strip and the tensions in the Middle East in general must not harm Christian-Jewish dialogue. I understand that Pope Francis wanted to act as a mediator. There are Christians in the Gaza Strip who are suffering just as much as the Muslim population there. However, one often had the impression that he didn't speak in a balanced way. In addition, representatives of Jewish organizations complained that they were not given a high-level reception in the Vatican – while at the same time, high-level contacts are being maintained with Iran, whose national goal is the destruction of Israel.

KNA: What do you expect from the new Pope Leo XIV?

Klein: Leo XIV is well-equipped to continue and further intensify the dialogue with the Jewish community. He was socialized religiously and politically at a time when the Second Vatican Council, and with it, Catholic-Jewish relations, were being revitalized. This dialogue works particularly well in the United States. In contrast to his predecessor, whose statements on the war in Gaza were perceived by many Jews as increasingly harsh and one-sided, Leo XIV expressed himself more balanced in his initial comments on the issue. In the wake of Francis's death and the election of his successor, the canonization of Carlo Acutis was postponed – possibly because of Leo's sensitivity in the fight against anti-Semitism?

KNA: In your observation, does Germany's voice carry weight?

Klein: When it comes to Christian-Jewish dialogue, Germany is being particularly looked at. We are being taken seriously. For example, the project of a team led by Münster church historian Hubert Wolf is of particular importance. They are researching the Vatican archives on the pontificate of Pope Pius XII (1939-1958), his stance on the Holocaust, and petitions addressed to him by Jews in need. In my opinion, German support for this project is very clearly perceived in the Vatican.

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