Canadian bishops and Jews (Canada).Ottawa--On October 13, 2000, there was a remarkable addition to the recent conciliatory con·cil·i·ate v. con·cil·i·at·ed, con·cil·i·at·ing, con·cil·i·ates v.tr. 1. To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease. 2. statements of Christians concerning Jews, and Jews concerning Christians--an appeal for mutual understanding by the bishops of Canada. It is entitled "Jubilee: Renewing our common bonds with the Jewish community." It invites Canadian Catholics to reflect on the Jewish origins of their faith. Jesus was born of the Jewish people, and rooted in the tradition of Moses and the prophets. "In the expression of Christian self-understanding," the statement says, "the continued presence and inspiration of the Jewish tradition cannot be denied." The Jewish people are "dear to God," and they play a decisive role in the religious history of humanity. A very important part of this document is a section condemning all forms of anti-Semitism as opposed to the very spirit of Christianity. Pope Pius XI Pope Pius XI (Latin: Pius PP. XI; Italian: Pio XI; May 31, 1857 – February 10, 1939), born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, reigned as Pope from February 6, 1922 and as sovereign of Vatican City from 1929 until his death on February 10, 1939. said, "Spiritually, we are all Semites," and John Paul II John Paul II, 1920–2005, pope (1978–2005), a Pole (b. Wadowice) named Karol Józef Wojtyła; successor of John Paul I. He was the first non-Italian pope elected since the Dutch Adrian VI (1522–23) and the first Polish and Slavic pope. has said, "Anti-Semitism has no justification and is absolutely condemnable." Concerning the charge of "deicide De´i`cide n. 1. The act of killing a being of a divine nature; particularly, the putting to death of Jesus Christ. Earth profaned, yet blessed, with deicide. - Prior. 2. "--i.e., the responsibility for the death of Christ--the Second Vatican Council Noun 1. Second Vatican Council - the Vatican Council in 1962-1965 that abandoned the universal Latin liturgy and acknowledged ecumenism and made other reforms Vatican II Vatican Council - each of two councils of the Roman Catholic Church said, "neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during [Jesus'] passion." Moreover, he went freely to his death for the sins of the world. The statement emphasizes that a call to reconciliation is an essential part of Jesus' message, and that reconciliation begins with repentance-- a turning away from sources of division and attitudes of rejection. There has been a profound change in our relations with Judaism, and we can express our Jubilee commitment to this change through prayer, social events, cooperation on issues of justice and peace, and other endeavours to promote public welfare and morality. We are called to recognize the wonders of God across linguistic and cultural diversity. The statement concludes with some memorable words from Pope John Paul Pope John Paul is the name of two Popes of the Roman Catholic Church:
"Jews and Christians share an immense spiritual patrimony PATRIMONY. Patrimony is sometimes understood to mean all kinds of property but its more limited signification, includes only such estate, as has descended in the same family and in a still more confined sense, it is only that which has descended or been devised in a direct line from the flowing from God's self-revelation. Our religious teachings and our spiritual experience demand that we overcome evil with good.... For us, to remember is to pray for peace and justice, to commit ourselves to their cause." |
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