Local News
Vatican Welcomes Message To Pope From Jewish Group
Published: October 23, 2003
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Among the congratulatory messages received by Pope John Paul II on his 25th anniversary, one from a U.S. Jewish group caught the Vatican’s special attention.
The New York-based Anti-Defamation League praised the pope for his many efforts to reconcile Christians and Jews. It was the only message printed in full by the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, in its coverage of the Oct. 16 anniversary. The text of the statement follows:
The Anti-Defamation League congratulates Pope John Paul II on the 25th anniversary of his papacy. His deep commitment to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people has been fundamental to his papacy.
Jews throughout the world are deeply grateful to the Pope. He has defended the Jewish people at all times, as a priest in his native Poland and during his pontificate. John Paul has denounced anti-Semitism as a “sin against God and humanity,” called upon all Christians to avoid any anti-Jewish interpretation of scriptures, and recommended caution in preaching and teaching.
The Holy Father has paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust at the Vatican, in European countries, and in Israel. His spiritual pilgrimage to the Synagogue of Rome was the first by a pope since the time of Peter, and his address there spanned centuries of mistrust.
In 1994 Pope John Paul II took the historic step of establishing relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel.
We pray that he remains healthy for many years to come, that he achieves much success in his holy work and that Catholic-Jewish relations continue to flourish.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
