VIDEO -- Jews Protest Catholic Funeral Procession for Former War Criminal

Photo ~ People take pictures as police officers attempt to hold back the crowd while the hearse carrying the coffin of Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke. Photo by AP

Hundreds of people jeered as the coffin of Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke arrived Tuesday for a funeral Mass near Rome organized by a splinter Catholic group (SSPX) opposed to Vatican outreach to Jews.

Ever since Priebke died Friday at age 100, debate has raged over what to do with his remains, with Pope Francis' vicar for Rome refusing him a funeral in a Catholic church.

VIDEO

As the hearse bringing the coffin arrived outside the society's church, people in the crowd slammed their fists and umbrellas on the car and shouted "We are all anti-fascist!" and "Priebke, murderer!"

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Holy Cannoli

Oct 16, 2013

Would this not have been an excellent 'teaching moment' for these unforgiving militant Jews?

Pope Francis has repeatedly said that God's mercy extends to atheists and agnostics. When speaking about homosexuals in the priesthood, Francis said “Who am I to judge.”

Why was there NO comment on the behavior of these Jews? Why did the SSPX have the courage to give this dead man and his family some semblance of respect whereas the Catholic Church did nothing? Was it for fear of the Jews?

Are we now to believe that the Pope is in agreement with those Jews in the film who obviously do NOT believe in forgiveness for this war criminal? Is the mercy of God only meant for some (namely homosexuals) but not for dead Nazis and their families?

If the Almighty and Christians could forgive Jewish complicity in the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ, why can't Jews also forgive.

A pity that Francis didn't use this opportunity to make a very important theological point.