Pope urges stronger dialogue with Jews

[emad]

AP 2005-01-19 03:41:06

VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul called for renewed commitment to stronger dialogue between Jews and Catholics as he received more than 100 Jewish leaders, rabbis, cantors and their family members yesterday in what was described as the largest Vatican audience with Jewish representatives. Most of the participants were from the United States, including a large contingent from the New York metropolitan area, but there were also Jews from Canada, Israel, France, India and Croatia among the group wanting to thank the pontiff for his dedication in improving relations between Jews and Catholics.

The long-scheduled gathering happened to come amid revived debate among historians, Catholics and Jews over a contentious postwar issue -- the Vatican's attempt to keep hold of Jewish children who were baptized to save them from the Nazis.

But no echoes of that flap seemed to resound in the marble-lined, frescoed Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace where John Paul, seated in his white, upholstered wheeled chair, enthusiastically received his guests.

John Paul noted this year will mark the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a landmark Vatican declaration which rescinded the accusation holding the Jews collectively responsible for the crucifixion of Christ.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/01/19/902881-sun.html

[Red Sox Dem]

1. Nostra Aetate

The pope needs to do more than open channels of communication between Catholics and Jews. He needs admit that Pius Xll was an anti-semite and protected the Nazis after the war.

[trotsky]

2. Welcome to DU, Red Sox Dem!

Great first post - I completely agree.