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Activists Will File Criminal Complaint Against Pope In Israel

By Howard M. Friedman

As Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Israel Monday on his trip to the Middle East, two activists plan to file a criminal complaint against him in the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court charging him and others with possessing stolen goods, receiving items considered stolen and receiving goods that were obtained through criminal means. According to yesterday's Arutz Sheva, the complaint alleges that archaeological and scholarly treasures that belong to the Jewish people are being held by the Vatican in Rome. At issue are a number of relics from the Second Temple, destroyed in 70 C.E. The items-- including the 7-branch golden menorah-- were allegedly taken to Rome by Titus who plundered the Temple. The complaint also covers some 7500 books in the Vatican library taken there hundreds of years later.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 10, 2009 (boomark / email).