A reputedly highly infectious disease, most recently afflicting Pope John Paul II, triggered the North American Jewish Students’ Network to quarantine the Vatican Mission to the United Nations Wednesday.
Initial symptoms of this contagious malady, known as “Waldheimer’s Disease,” include not recognizing Nazis and falling into selective amnesia about Nazi war crimes.
Protestors noted that Pope John Paul It’s case reached an advanced stage as he agreed to meet with Austrian President Kurt Waldheim. “The illness is very dangerous,” explained Alan Orich, executive director of Network. “Last year, over 50 percent of Austria caught it.”
In this instance, according to Orich, the Vatican is getting its hands dirty. “The Pope knew the Jewish community would be offended, but I guess he didn’t care enough. It shows his insensitivity to the Jewish people and concerns.” About 20 students from the U.S., Canada and a representative from South Africa, all clad in doctors’ uniforms, organized the protest and conducted free tests for the disease on passersby.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
