Cardinal Keeler credited with resolving new Catholic-Jewish tensions

Published: 2008-04-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- While presenting Cardinal William H. Keeler with a special honor April 14 in Washington, leaders of the Anti-Defamation League said the retired archbishop of Baltimore recently alleviated tensions between Jews and the Vatican. ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman said Cardinal Keeler was instrumental in resolving a "potentially problematic issue of Jewish-Catholic relations" a few weeks ago. In February Pope Benedict XVI rewrote portions of the old Roman Missal's Good Friday prayer. In 2007, after the pope relaxed restrictions on the Tridentine Mass, Jews objected to the restoration of the prayer, which called for the conversion of Jews. Though Foxman wouldn't say what role the cardinal played in the pope's decision to rewrite the prayer to remove language Jews found objectionable, he did say the retired prelate did "intervene to help resolve the issue. Through quiet and productive dialogue, he helped avoid a misunderstanding, and helped strengthen the bonds of our friendship."

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