Book collects Vatican II teaching on church's relationship to Jews

Published: 2004-02-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs has published a compilation of Catholic teaching since the Second Vatican Council on the church's relationship with Jews and Judaism. Titled "The Bible, the Jews, and the Death of Jesus: A Collection of Catholic Documents," the book includes excerpts from the Vatican II document on relations with non-Christian religions, "Nostra Aetate," which condemned all forms of anti-Semitism and affirms the continuing validity of God's covenant with the Jews. It also contains "Criteria for the Evaluation of Dramatizations of the Passion," a 1988 document from the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. The book was to be officially released Feb. 23, two days before the Ash Wednesday theatrical premiere of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," which some Catholic scholars and U.S. Jewish leaders have said could foster anti-Semitism. The book also includes "Notes on the Correct Way to Present the Jews and Judaism in the Preaching and Catechesis in the Roman Catholic Church," a 1985 document by the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews, and "God's Mercy Endures Forever: Guidelines on the Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Catholic Preaching," a 1988 document by the U.S. bishops' liturgy committee. "Behind all of these statements lies the determination of the church to oppose anti-Semitism and to understand more fully the salvation of all humanity in Christ while affirming the unique place of Jews and Judaism in the unfolding of the mysteries of salvation universally proclaimed by the church," said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., chairman of the bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. "The Bible, the Jews, and the Death of Jesus: A Collection of Catholic Documents" can be ordered for $11.95 per copy by calling: (800) 235-8722.

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