Tweet
Marshall D. Moushigian: Pope stands tall on Armenian genocide
14:38 07/12/2013 » SOCIETY
By Marshall D. Moushigian, The Fresno Bee
[http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/12/06/3652443/pope-stands-tall-on-armenian-genocidevalley.html]
There is nothing necessarily special or significant about Vatican
City's recent official recognition of the Armenian genocide.
More and more governments are looking at the facts of the matter,
looking at Turkey's untenable denial campaign, looking themselves in
the mirror and coming to the logical conclusion that not only did a
genocide take place, and not only has the festering of the
non-recognition done more harm than good, but that the basic concepts
of fairness and justice demand it.
But this recognition is, in fact, both special and significant. Pope
Francis, prior to becoming Pope, was cardinal of Buenos Aires, and it
was at that station that he first stated his support for Armenian
genocide recognition. As a cardinal, he held one of the highest
offices of one of the largest jurisdictions governed by Vatican City.
His continued recognition of the genocide, from cardinal through
papacy, is special when one compares such action to others who have
eventually reached their professional pinnacle.
Recent history has shown, here in the United States, that when one is
a candidate for president, he or she will eagerly say "Armenian
genocide" to collect desperately needed votes. But once that highest
office is attained, principles are tossed aside to make room for
realpolitik - pursuing an expedient political agenda (e.g. cushy
relations with Turkey) despite the clear lack of moral considerations
in such a pursuit. President Obama and his immediate predecessor,
George W. Bush, fall into this sad category. Pope Francis is
different: He maintained his position despite his elevated status, and
that is truly the stuff of miracles; one more and he is a saint.
Vatican City is a country like no other. Its constituency is based
upon not only geographic citizenship (it has about 800 residents), but
also religious affiliation, which means that its sphere of influence
is limitless, and so is its significance. The religion is Christianity
and, particularly, Catholicism. Catholics make up just over
one-quarter of Europe's population. Turkey is scratching at Europe's
door, but has yet to take demonstrable steps toward meeting the EU
admission guidelines. There are plenty in Europe who would prefer to
discard those guidelines and see Turkey promptly integrated, simply
for the profit potential of a trading partner with more than 11
million residents.
Europe's Catholics can do themselves, and Europe as a whole, a favor
by encouraging and ensuring that their respective leaders hold Turkey
to strict adherence of those requirements (one of which is Armenian
genocide recognition). Europe's Catholics should also remember the
last time Turks were scratching at Europe's door, at Vienna in 1683,
and that the invading Ottoman Turks were repelled from Europe because,
ultimately, they did not belong, and they were not wanted - but more
important, all Europeans should remember why.
Not much has changed in nearly three and a half centuries, and not
much had changed when 1915 rolled around, when open season was
declared on every Armenian man, woman and child. Everybody knows what
happened to the Armenians. The Catholics - all of Europe for that
matter - must understand that by letting Turkey in, they would be
letting in a group who thinks that race extermination based on
ethnicity and Christian faith is acceptable conduct.
Despite the occasional issues that interrupt the Holy See, Catholics
can stand confident knowing that they should never have to apologize
for their leadership recognizing the Armenian genocide. The Turks of
the waning days of the Ottoman Empire conceived the inconceivable, and
the Turks of today have the gall to pretend it never even happened.
Pope Francis stated that "... trampling upon a person's dignity is a
serious sin." His Holiness also recognizes that an even greater sin is
allowing the footprints to remain.
http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2013/12/07/Fresno-Bee/
14:38 07/12/2013 » SOCIETY
By Marshall D. Moushigian, The Fresno Bee
[http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/12/06/3652443/pope-stands-tall-on-armenian-genocidevalley.html]
There is nothing necessarily special or significant about Vatican
City's recent official recognition of the Armenian genocide.
More and more governments are looking at the facts of the matter,
looking at Turkey's untenable denial campaign, looking themselves in
the mirror and coming to the logical conclusion that not only did a
genocide take place, and not only has the festering of the
non-recognition done more harm than good, but that the basic concepts
of fairness and justice demand it.
But this recognition is, in fact, both special and significant. Pope
Francis, prior to becoming Pope, was cardinal of Buenos Aires, and it
was at that station that he first stated his support for Armenian
genocide recognition. As a cardinal, he held one of the highest
offices of one of the largest jurisdictions governed by Vatican City.
His continued recognition of the genocide, from cardinal through
papacy, is special when one compares such action to others who have
eventually reached their professional pinnacle.
Recent history has shown, here in the United States, that when one is
a candidate for president, he or she will eagerly say "Armenian
genocide" to collect desperately needed votes. But once that highest
office is attained, principles are tossed aside to make room for
realpolitik - pursuing an expedient political agenda (e.g. cushy
relations with Turkey) despite the clear lack of moral considerations
in such a pursuit. President Obama and his immediate predecessor,
George W. Bush, fall into this sad category. Pope Francis is
different: He maintained his position despite his elevated status, and
that is truly the stuff of miracles; one more and he is a saint.
Vatican City is a country like no other. Its constituency is based
upon not only geographic citizenship (it has about 800 residents), but
also religious affiliation, which means that its sphere of influence
is limitless, and so is its significance. The religion is Christianity
and, particularly, Catholicism. Catholics make up just over
one-quarter of Europe's population. Turkey is scratching at Europe's
door, but has yet to take demonstrable steps toward meeting the EU
admission guidelines. There are plenty in Europe who would prefer to
discard those guidelines and see Turkey promptly integrated, simply
for the profit potential of a trading partner with more than 11
million residents.
Europe's Catholics can do themselves, and Europe as a whole, a favor
by encouraging and ensuring that their respective leaders hold Turkey
to strict adherence of those requirements (one of which is Armenian
genocide recognition). Europe's Catholics should also remember the
last time Turks were scratching at Europe's door, at Vienna in 1683,
and that the invading Ottoman Turks were repelled from Europe because,
ultimately, they did not belong, and they were not wanted - but more
important, all Europeans should remember why.
Not much has changed in nearly three and a half centuries, and not
much had changed when 1915 rolled around, when open season was
declared on every Armenian man, woman and child. Everybody knows what
happened to the Armenians. The Catholics - all of Europe for that
matter - must understand that by letting Turkey in, they would be
letting in a group who thinks that race extermination based on
ethnicity and Christian faith is acceptable conduct.
Despite the occasional issues that interrupt the Holy See, Catholics
can stand confident knowing that they should never have to apologize
for their leadership recognizing the Armenian genocide. The Turks of
the waning days of the Ottoman Empire conceived the inconceivable, and
the Turks of today have the gall to pretend it never even happened.
Pope Francis stated that "... trampling upon a person's dignity is a
serious sin." His Holiness also recognizes that an even greater sin is
allowing the footprints to remain.
http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2013/12/07/Fresno-Bee/