Anti-semitism claims delay beatification

The Vatican has put the planned beatification of a French priest, Leon Dehon, on hold after complaints about anti-Semitism in his writings emerged, a Vatican official revealed today.

Dehon, who founded the priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus religious order, had been approved for beatification in a ceremony in St Peter’s Square on April 24. That ceremony was postponed because of the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, who was formally installed as pope on April 24.