Author : Gérard da Silva
Publisher : Editions Syllepse
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 300 pages
Book Rating : 4.F/5 ( download)
Book Synopsis L'affaire Mortara et l'antisémitisme chrétien by : Gérard da Silva
Download or read book L'affaire Mortara et l'antisémitisme chrétien written by Gérard da Silva and published by Editions Syllepse. This book was released on 2008 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Surveys the Mortara affair of 1858 as an expression of traditional Christian antisemitism, first discussing the case in the context of the Second French Empire. Documents French press and diplomatic reactions to the Church's abduction of the Italian Jewish Edgardo Mortara, who had been converted by a Christian servant. Emphasizes differences between the Mortara and Montel (1840) affairs, and discusses abductions of Jewish children by Church authorities in France between 1852-70. Presents the development of Catholic doctrine and its integration into canonic law in order to decide whether the Mortara case was justified by missionary baptism or antisemitism. Argues that the doctrinal corpus has evolved with regard to baptism, but has remained unchanged concerning antisemitism. Pius IX, who insisted the Mortara child be raised as a Catholic, only repeated age-old antisemitic stereotypes in order to justify the abduction. Discusses the Finaly affair of 1953, and states that abductions of Jewish children may occur as long as antisemitic and absolutist doctrines prevail within the Catholic Church. Emphasizes that the Mortara affair was neutralized, then marginalized in France, where no book has previously been written on the subject. Concludes that Christian antisemitism has survived well into the 20th century, and refutes the dichotomy between Christian and racial, "scientific" antisemitism.