The Vatican, American Catholics and the Struggle for Palestine, 1917-1958: a Study of Cold War Roman Catholic Transnationalism
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Scholarship@Western Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 12-12-2011 12:00 AM The Vatican, American Catholics and the Struggle for Palestine, 1917-1958: A Study of Cold War Roman Catholic Transnationalism Adriano E. Ciani The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Robert Ventresca The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in History A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Adriano E. Ciani 2011 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Diplomatic History Commons, Islamic World and Near East History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Ciani, Adriano E., "The Vatican, American Catholics and the Struggle for Palestine, 1917-1958: A Study of Cold War Roman Catholic Transnationalism" (2011). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 348. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/348 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Vatican, American Catholics and the Struggle for Palestine, 1917-1958: A Study of Cold War Roman Catholic Transnationalism (Spine Title: The Vatican, American Catholics and the Struggle for Palestine) (Thesis Format: Monograph) by Adriano Ercole Ciani Graduate Program in History A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada © Adriano Ercole Ciani 2011 The University of Western Ontario School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Certificate of Examination Supervisor Examiners ____________________ ____________________ Dr. Robert Ventresca Dr. Charles Gallagher ____________________ Dr. Francine McKenzie ____________________ Dr. Robert MacDougall ____________________ Dr. Patrick Ryan The thesis by Adriano Ciani entitled: THE VATICAN, AMERICAN CATHOLICS AND THE STRUGGLE FOR PALESTINE, 1917-1958: A STUDY OF POSTWAR ROMAN CATHOLIC TRANSNATIONALISM is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ____________________ _______________________________ Date Dr. François Lagugné-Labarthet Chair of the Thesis Examination Board ii Abstract The modern relationship between the Vatican and the state of Israel is rooted in a much deeper history of relations between Judaism and Christianity. In the main, this relationship was fraught with tensions and animosity, as early Christian writers chastised and demonized Judaism, ensconcing a hostility that endured for centuries. The advent of political Zionism in the nineteenth century renewed Roman Catholic fears of a Jewish- dominated Palestine, where religious sites sacred to Catholics would fall under the political jurisdiction of a Zionist state. In 1904, Pope Pius X granted an audience to the prominent Zionist Theodor Herzl, in which he reminded his guest that the Roman Catholic Church could never endorse or support the creation of a Jewish home in Palestine. This was to remain the essence of papal policy on Palestine for decades to come. This study examines the relationship between the Vatican and Zionism from the Balfour Declaration (1917) to the creation of Israel in 1948, as well as Vatican attempts to constrain the nascent state in the years after its birth. More specifically, it considers the transnational nature of Roman Catholic responses to Zionism and the creation of Israel. The Vatican was supported in its anti-Zionist stance by an international network of national Catholic hierarchies, lay Catholic organizations and an active Catholic press. Leading this international Roman Catholic lobby against Zionism were the Catholic bishops of the United States. From the 1920s through the 1950s, American Catholic leaders had become crucial intermediaries in the relationship between Washington and the Vatican. Speaking as both loyal American citizens and as devout Roman Catholics, iii the bishops were uniquely positioned to transmit the Vatican‟s policy objectives to the American government. The American bishops were also instrumental in advocating Vatican positions on Zionism at the United Nations, evidence of the importance of the American Catholic Church, and its various organs, in disseminating the positions of the Vatican to the international community. Through an examination of a comprehensive range of primary materials, this study demonstrates that an understanding of the Vatican‟s relationship with Zionism and the nascent Israeli state must take into account the transnational Roman Catholic consensus on the future of Palestine, an advocacy led by American Catholics, who represented the leading edge of Vatican attempts to shape the future of Palestine. Keywords Christianity, Cold War, Israel, international relations, Judaism, Palestine, Roman Catholic Church, transnational history, United Nations, Zionism iv This study, with much love, is dedicated to my parents, Johanne and Erminio. I could have asked for no more. v Acknowledgments This study, like all doctoral dissertations, was the product of many hands. Though a single scholar claims credit for the completion of such a task, the road to its end is always paved by the selfless and generous advice, encouragement and support of fellow researchers, scholars, archivists, students, librarians, friends and family. It is a road that is rarely travelled alone and in this sense, I have been remarkably fortunate. My doctoral colleagues at Western have contributed to these pages more than they know, providing advice, counsel, humour and friendship often just as I needed it most. In this regard, I would like to give particular mention to Tim Compeau, Craig Greenham, Tea Gucciardo, Richard Holt, Mark Humphries, Marilla McCargar, Ryan O‟Connor, Heather Stephenson, Marina Soroka, Jane Whalen, and Nic Virtue. You all have a hand in the pages that follow. In London, Toronto and Valencia, my good friends Jim Apostolopoulos, Richard Corneil, Neil Hrab, Ryan Mangel, Philip Savas, Klaus and Zahava Schieman-Burckhardt and Murray Watson also played a role in getting me to this point- thank you all for your unfailing friendship and support. Anna and Graziana, thank you for your love and support. Among the archivists who were most generous with their time and guidance were Nicholas Scheetz of Georgetown University‟s Special Collections, Heidi Christein of the archives of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and William LaFevre of the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University. In the nick of time Annie Gruber, archivist at New York‟s Catholic Near East Welfare Association, provided me with a cache of correspondence that immeasurably enhanced the study. Maria Mazzenga, of the archives vi of the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., deserves special mention for her encouragement and advice. Closer to home, the assistance of Claire Callaghan, Chief Librarian at King‟s University College, and Elizabeth Mantz, history subject librarian at Western‟s Weldon Library, was sincerely appreciated. The department of history at the University of Western Ontario provided support from the earliest stages to the final weeks of submitting the draft. Chris Speed, the department‟s graduate secretary, was always available to answer a myriad of questions, and always made it pleasant to visit the office. Among faculty members, Dr. Margaret McGlynn, Dr. Francine McKenzie, Dr. Eli Nathans and Dr. Robert Wardhaugh deserve special mention for their generosity, advice and counsel. The study is immeasurably better for their input. I also extend sincere thanks to my examining committee, who provided invaluable feedback and advice to improve the work further. My external examiner, Dr. Charles Gallagher of Boston College, provided sage advice and encouragement as the project neared completion- thank you kindly. My master‟s supervisor, Dr. Peter C. Kent of the University of New Brunswick, sparked my interest in the Vatican‟s role in international affairs. His patience, confidence and advice were instrumental in vesting me with the confidence to pursue doctoral studies. Last, but not least, my biggest debt of gratitude belongs to my doctoral supervisor, Dr. Robert Ventresca. From the early weeks of research to the final days of submitting this manuscript, he provided an unfailing and patient confidence that saw me through to the end. When it comes to supervisors, I know I was blessed. I am eternally grateful for his wise counsel, time and patience, but above all, for his friendship. Thank you sincerely. vii Table of Contents Title Page i Certificate of Examination ii Abstract and Keywords iii Dedication v Acknowledgments vi Table of Contents viii Abbreviations x Introduction 1 Chapter 1 The Vatican, American Catholics and Zionism, 1897-1939 18 The Holy See and Zionism, 1897-1922 25 Storm Clouds Over Europe: The Vatican and American Catholics Move Closer 59 “The Mangiest, Scabbiest Cat Ever”: The American Catholic Political Lobby Matures 69 The Vatican, American Catholics and Political Zionism, 1922-1939 77 Chapter 2 Toeing the Roman Line: American Catholics, the Holocaust and the Palestine Question 94 The Wartime Strategic Embrace: American Catholics,