The Roman Association of Friends of Israel sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking him for a “clear and strong signal” that he would not tolerate any residual or resurgent forms anti-Semitism in religious art or popular culture, such as processions.

The group sent the letter to protest against an exhibition in a church in the Umbrian city of Orvieto that includes a number of old paintings depicting Jews desecrating a consecrated Communion host, which Catholics believe is the body of Christ.

“The fact that this culture [of anti-Semitism] continues to survive in parishes is very worrying and alarming for us,” the association’s letter said. (Reuters)

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