The Simon Wiesenthal Center applauds a new Vatican document that instructs Catholics not to target Jews for conversion, affirms G-d’s continued covenant with the Jewish people, and asks Catholics to work with Jews to eradicate anti-Semitism. “The sentiments expressed by Pope Francis come at a time of unprecedented anti-Semitism, especially across Europe. His Holiness has added a new pillar for interfaith relations begun 50 years ago with Nostra Aetate, and strengthened by every pope that followed. We offer our profound thanks and appreciation to His Holiness,” said Center officials. Nostra Aetate, a product of the Second Vatican Council and the urging of Pope John XXIII, argued that Jews could not be collectively guilty for the crucifixion, and declared anti-Semitism a sin. Pope Paul VI created much of the implementation for the findings of that watershed document. Pope John Paul II called Jews the “elder brother” of Christians, was the first to walk from the throne of St. Peter to the Rome synagogue, and asked G-d’s forgiveness at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the Church’s mistreatment of Jews through the centuries.
Pope Benedict authored much of the theological support for the thrust of Nostra Aetate. Today’s announcement follows on the heels of several other important contributions by Pope Francis, including one that spoke of what Christians can learn from Jews (“God continues to work among the people of the Old Covenant and to bring forth treasures of wisdom which flow from their encounter with his word”), and a recent statement that “To attack Jews is anti-Semitism, but an outright attack on the State of Israel is also anti-Semitism.”
Credit to Skywatchtv.com
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