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| Pope Paul VI in 1963 (Public Domain) |
On October 28, 1965 a
most remarkable proclamation was made by Pope Paul VI.
Known as Nostra Aetate
("In Our Age"), this declaration affirmed, in no uncertain terms, the fraternal relationship between Christians and Jews.
In so doing, it also condemned the persecuting displays of anti-Semitism that have been so rampant for centuries.
Part Four of this "Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions" clearly states: True, the Jewish authorities and those
who followed their lead pressed for the
death of Christ; still what happened in His
passion cannot be
charged against all Jews,
without distinction, then alive, nor
against the Jews of today… the Jews should not be
presented as rejected or accursed by God, as
if this followed from the Holy Scriptures.
This Declaration was presented to the world almost half a century ago. Nevertheless, The Huffington Post reported that more than one-quarter of Americans who were recently surveyed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) "still believe that 'Jews were responsible for the death of Christ.'"
Such prejudices die hard, as do their victims. It's long past time to quit scapegoating and begin loving all God's children.
Resources
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
http://wwrn.org/articles/41095/?&place=north-america
Copyright November 4, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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