17 April 2015

A footnote on the Armenians and Holocaust Denial

After the Holy Father's admirable words on Sunday, it would be good to hear just a few Admirable Words from a lot of others. (I apologise in advance if what follows demonstrates that I am not quite up-to-date with the utterances of politicians.) After all, this is the Centenary of the Armenian Holocaust, and everybody all over the world clamours to observe Centenaries. Why do we hear so little on this one?

Successive British Governments of all parties, highly principled in all things, full of moral courage, anxious to lecture other governments all over the world about their poor records on human rights, fortified by a self-confidence based on the sublimely High Ground which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office invariably occupies, have never dared to say anything which Ankara might take amiss.

Obama, before he became Divine Emperor, spoke about the Armenian Holocaust, but since his Apotheosis has done a good line in weasel words and diplomatic ambiguities. Come on, Mr O, this is Centenary time!

Some Israelis have spoken very Admirably indeed about the Armenian tragedies. There have been others who have felt that enormous moral imperatives, like not upsetting a country whose airline does a lot of flights in and out of Tel a viv, counsel prudence. An odd line for Zionists, of all people, to take. Or is it that some of them think they hold the copyright on being victims of a Holocaust? Netanjahu could clear these uncertainties up for us, with the same clarity that Pope Francis used.

I wonder if the Masonic tradition has examined its conscience in this matter? Have there been Apologies which I have missed?

6 comments:

Catherina of Siena said...

Catherina of S.(A). popped in here for a "breather". Holocausts - large and small - all over our "loverley" Blue Planet.

Let me know when you want to visit Southern Africa, Fr Hunwicke. I'll pick you up in Cape Town.

All the best.
C of A

Unknown said...

"Successive British Governments of all parties ... have never dared to say anything which Ankara might take amiss."

Is this strictly accurate? After the First World War the British removed many of the Turkish leadership and attempted to put them on trial in Malta. However the trials had to be abandoned because of a lack of cooperation from Turkey in providing evidence and witnesses

It is not just Ankara who wishes not to have the matter examined

You might have noticed the deafening silence coming from Germany.

It was the German-Turkish alliance which caused Turkey to declare war on the Allies in late 1914.

The German attempt to inflame the Moslem world against Britain and France through Turkey and its Ottoman Empire is not often appreciated.

Britain had many Moslem subjects in Egypt and India and France in its Middle Eastern possessions.

The evidence would appear to suggest that Germany knew very well what Turkey was doing to the Armenians and whether the German government was complicit and if so to what degree in the Genocide has never been properly determined.

It is only now that German historians are beginning to discuss the matter

11rhymesandreasons said...

So you deny the One True Holocaust?

Mick Jagger Gathers No Mosque said...

There is only one Holocaust, the Salvific Holy Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary where His burning charity replaced the physical fire.

He who says Holocaust must be speaking about Jesus Christ on Calvary and His Pluperfect Sacrifice of Salvation, or, he has surrendered to a political program that is undignified and unworthy of what Jesus has done for all mankind.

The Holocaust was not only the worst crime ever committed (compared to which the mass murders of Armenians, Russians, Irish, Indians, etc are not even morally visible) but it is a crime than which no greater crime can even be imagined.


peregrinusto said...

Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada speaking of the Armenian genocide:

". . . the Senate of Canada adopted a motion acknowledging this period as 'the first genocide of the twentieth century,' while the House of Commons adopted a motion that “acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity.' My party and I supported those resolutions and continue to recognize them today.

We must never forget the lessons of history, nor should we allow the enmities of history to divide us. The freedom, democracy, and human rights enjoyed by all Canadians are rooted in our mutual respect for one another.

I join with you today in remembering the past and I encourage you to continue honouring your forefathers by building a bright future for all Canadians.

Sincerely,

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada

peregrinusto said...

23 countries officially accept its authenticity as a 'genocide,' including Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City, and Venezuela.

Thirty-nine of 50 U.S. states also recognize the genocide, although there is no official federal recognition.