But his four now-anonymous files are still in the database and three still show his parents' names. His name was purged from the online IGI, so a normal search will not find them. Pope John Paul II was baptized not once but four times in April 2006, in line with Mormon practice of waiting a year before starting these rites. It took Wiesenthal's name off its online list but critics like Radkey say internal lists still have large numbers of Jewish names. The Church pledged in 1995 not to list Holocaust victims and other Jews after many names were found on the IGI. I don't think he needs help getting into heaven." Simon Wiesenthal dedicated his whole life to Jews. Rabbi Marvin Heir, head of a Jewish human rights group in Los Angeles named after the deceased Austrian, called this "very offensive. Jewish groups last December that the famous Jewish Nazi-hinter Simon Wiesenthal had turned up on the IGI as a departed soul cleared for Mormon baptism. Radkey, who has exposed non-Mormon entries on the IGI for over a decade, alerted U.S. The rites are then performed at temples off-limits to non-Mormons. That data is reserved only for Mormons, who can consult it at one of the 3,400 Family History Centers worldwide where they go to enter names for these rites using special software. Jewish Holocaust victims, Protestant reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin and Mohammed ibn Abdel-Wahhab, founder of Saudi Arabia's stern version of Islam, have all popped up on the list.Ī purged version of the IGI is on the Internet, at, a Web site run by the LDS church, but does not show which rites have been performed. The Church says it cannot stem the tide of dead baptized in its own temples. This has outraged Jews and baffled Christians who see it as usurping the memory of their departed relatives. The IGI also accepts names for rites that "seal" spouses in eternal marriage or parents and children in eternal families. "It seems that any kind of name at all may be submitted," said Radkey from Salt Lake City, where the Church is based. But so many now perform the rituals for celebrities, heroes and perfect strangers that the practice has spun out of control.Īdolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Genghis Khan, Mao Zedong, King Herod, Al Capone and Mickey Mouse have all appeared for a short time in the International Genealogical Index for proxy baptisms, said Helen Radkey, a researcher specialized in the IGI. The Mormons, a U.S.-based denomination officially named the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), encourage members to baptize the dead by proxy in the belief they are helping the deceased attain full access to heaven.Ĭhurch members are told to focus on their ancestors, a rite understandable in a relatively new denomination founded in 1830. Pope Benedict was baptized at birth and will most likely be baptized again one year after his death, not by his Roman Catholic Church but by a Mormon he never met. In a truly fascinating story, however, that's exactly what Reuters is reporting: Next month, the new Catholic bishop of LDS Central will be installed, the First Presidency loved Wojtyla, throwing its weight behind many of his initiatives, and LDS and RCs alike have found themselves inspired and blessed by the sitting archbishop of San Francisco.Īll that noted, however, could the reigning pontiff be posthumously entered onto the Mormon rolls? Sure, we know he's Fluffy and the whole world wants a piece of him, but still. Neal A.As you know, Catholics and Mormons share a sound relationship of fraternal love and goodwill.Callister – The Atonement of Jesus Christ Maxwell – True Patriotism Takes the Long View of This Nation’s Needs Atonement Change of Heart Charity Effort Eternal Life Faith Family Forgiveness Goals Happiness Holy Ghost Humility Improvement Jesus Christ Joy Knowledge Learning Light Love Love of God Marriage Missionary Work Mysteries of Godliness Obedience Patience Perfection Persistence Plan of Salvation Pondering Potential Power Prayer Repentance Revelation Salvation Service Sin Spiritual Growth Temple Temptation Thoughts Trials Trust Truth Work Quotes by Author
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