Joachim Prinz (1) (1902–1988)

3347. Popes From the Ghetto A View of Medieval Christendom, by Joachim Prinz (read 9 Sep 2000 This book written in 1966 by a New Jersey rabbi is quite a good book. The author believes Gregory VI, Gregory VII, and Anacletus II, of the Pierleoni family, were Jewish. In 1030 Baruch Pierleoni and his family converted to Catholicism. John Gratian, who became Gregory VI was his son. The connection between the family and Gregory VII is unclear. Anacletus II is generally considered an anti-Pope, since he was elected a few hours after Innocent II in 1130, though he was elected by a greater number of Cardinals than was Innocent II. St. Bernard, giving anti-Semitic reasons, opposed Anacletus II. The book is carefully researched, and cannot be said to be unfair, though it gives prominence to bad things which happened to Jews in the times involved. This book was good to read.… (mehr)