POPE PIUS CRITICISED Bomb Explodes Amid Furore Over Play

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 13

POPE PIUS CRITICISED Bomb Explodes Amid Furore Over Play

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) ROME, February 17. A political storm has arisen over police action against a company attempting to stage the controversial play, “The Representative,” and early today a bomb blast damaged a heavy wooden barracks door of the Swiss Guard, the ancient Papal force that patrols Vatican City.

The Rome Prefecture, in banning -the play on Monday, invoked the Lateran Concordat that binds Italy to protect the Papacy against “public offence and injury.”

The powerful Communist Party and other Left-wing parties are supporting the company who tried to stage the play on Saturday in the basement of a deconsecrated church. Vatican Radio and the Vatican City newspaper, “Osservatore Romano” have criticised the theatre company. “The Representative,” by the German playwright, Rolf Hochhuth, accused Pope Pius XII of failing to defend the Jews from the Nazis.

It has never been performed in Italy. Police prevented last Saturday’s premiere by clearing the audience on the pretext that the premises had not been approved for use as a theatre. Shaky Coalition The Republican Party demand Government action to permit the performance. The Socialists and Republicans belong to the coalition Government headed by a Christian Democrat Prime Minister, Mr Aldo Moro. The issue could further weaken the already shaky partnership.

Socialists and Communists have formally asked itr the Senate and Chamber of Deputies why police stopped

the performance and “turned away with violence those trying to see it.” Vatican diplomatic action to block the performance throughout Italy is possible.

“Osservatore Romano” noted in an editorial that Roman Catholics could count on “juridicial guarantees that ... are an integral part of the Italian Constitution.” This was a reference to the 1929 Concordat establishing relations between the Vatican and Italy. The document binds Italy to protect the Papacy against “public offence and injury.” The article was a clear warning that the Vatican is prepared to act through diplomatic channels, either through its Nuncio (envoy) to Italy or through the Italian Embassy to the Vatican. ' Actors Protest When their premiere on Saturday was blocked the 12 actors staged a sit-in protest while police outside prevented anyone entering the theatre.

The actors slept on seats and chairs and sent out for sandwiches and coffee.

On Monday, the actors put on their premiere in the basement storeroom of a bookshop belonging to Mr Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, the publisher who brought out the play. Members of the small audience of journalists, critics, writers, artists and Left-wing politicians reported the improvised performance took place in "clandestine” atmosphere. Police were . not on duty outside the bookshop but continued to cordon off the group’s small theatre in the basement of the disused church a few streets away. Mr Gianmaria Volonte, an Italian actor and director of the theatre club, said the cast presented the play at the bookshop to affirm their freedom to perform. After the performance, he said, they would return to the club theatre “to affirm our rights.” “Not For Scandal” Mr Volonte said he was not staging the play for cheap publicity or scandal. He said: “We have a definite programme. We want to put on a series of plays which have so far been banned in Italy.” “The Representative” has provoked demonstrations in several cities. It was warmly received in London. The bomb blast today was near the Angelic Gateway, one of the entries into the Vatican from Rome. Police, brought out en masse in the central part of Rome, systematically

stopped all cars In the area and questioned motorists. Most of the 100-strong Swiss Guard were sleeping inside the barracks when the bomb went off, shattering windows and sending pieces of wood flying.

A passer-by outside told the police be saw two men speed away in a car just after the explosion. Papal Apartments

The explosion occurred some distance from the section of the Vatican where Pope Paul has his apartments. Police said the explosive consisted of a small plastic device with a slow fuse.

The charge had been attached to the lower left-hand corner of a seldom-used door. A wedge of wood was blown out by the blast and the rest of the door singed. There have been two previous bomb incidents within recent years—both in St. Peter's Basilica.

The site of this morning’s explosion was around the corner from the Basilica. In July, 1962, a time bomb went off inside the Basilica. No-one was injured and there was only slight damage to a monument to Pope Clement X.

In September of the same year. Papal gendarmes discovered and removed two incendiary bombs that had been placed near the vast wooden hall set up inside St Peter’s for the Ecumenical Council. The culprits were never apprehended.