UNENDING DEMANDS By Edward J. Moskal When Jewish organizations demanded the removal of the first crosses that were placed outside the former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, the Polish American Congress voted to support their placement. Later, when the number of crosses became excessive, in an attempt to be conciliatory, we recognized that the great number of crosses could be construed as a purposeful provocation. At the same time, however, we noted that bowing to the request for removal would only lead to additional demands. It is the old story of "give an inch and they will demand a yard." Now, having seen the pictures of Poland’s Chief Rabbi, Menachem Joskowicz, pointing his finger at Pope John Paul II’s face, we cannot help but observe that our fears were justified. That very day, June 11, the Holy Father prayed for martyred Jews at the site of what was the Warsaw Ghetto under German occupation. Likewise, The Polish Church has bent over backwards in an effort to avoid conflict with the Jewish community. Bowing to Jewish demands on May 28, Polish authorities ordered the removal of the small crosses. Nothing, however, seems to be enough. The mood of goodwill was broken when Rabbi Joskowicz broke protocol when he approached the Pontiff, addressing him as "Mr. Pope," a salutation that is as improper in Polish as it is in English. Speaking of the remaining large crucifix, he then asked him "to give the order to your men to remove this last cross, as well," an additional choice of words that was, to say the least, unfortunate. The object of which he spoke was, of course, the cross that had been erected during the papal trip of 1979. There have been numerous comments in the past from Jewish leaders about the need for "sensitivity," yet they feel no need for that quality on their part. Neither the devotion of Poles to church and cross, nor the weighty symbolism of the papal cross at Auschwitz appear worthy of their consideration. Those who believed the removal of Christian symbols from the Auschwitz site would satisfy Jewish demands have now uncovered the insatiable appetite of the historical revisionists. The cross, the Pope, Polish martyrdom … are mere objects to be buried and forgotten to the self-possessed extremists. Adding to the offensive nature of the situation are some members of Poland’s Catholic hierarchy and certain factions of Poland’s press, who are willing to surrender the cross in a mistaken notion of conciliation. Goodwill is certainly valuable, but the early Christian martyrs did not forsake their values and beliefs in return for conciliation with the ruling emperors. Instead, they gained an honored place on earth and in heaven for standing steadfastly with the cross. If these present-day clerics are unwilling or unable to uphold Christianity, or if they find other forms of religiosity more attractive, it may be appropriate for them to find their particular brand of salvation by replacing the Roman collar with the yarmulke. Press agencies reported that the Rabbi’s inappropriate demand would renew the controversy surrounding the cross at Auschwitz, as well as exacerbate the continuing rift in Polish-Jewish relations. That is not necessarily true. The issue of the cross will be concluded at such time as the Polish authorities discover their backbones, affirm the sovereignty of Poland over its own land, recall the suffering of all Poles--both Christian and Jew--at the hands of Germany’s Nazis and insist upon respect for Polish values. Having stood as firmly and honorably as those who preceded them, Poland’s leaders will have broadcast the message that Poland will not be threatened and bullied. Poland’s honor having been upheld, Polish-Jewish relations may then move forward, notice having been served that Polish interests must be placed on an equal footing with Jewish issues. ================================= To tyle od szefa Kongresu Polonii Amerykanskiej. serdecznie Irek