Pope a Jewish Ally in Global Struggle

YNet.com editorial by Isi Leibler:

Despite the shortcomings of the current pope, we must not overlook the radical revolution the Catholic Church has undergone since the 1965 Nostra Aetate Declaration of the Second Vatican Council. That led to annulling the odious replacement theology, rescinding the accusation of Deicide against the Jewish people and even swallowing the theologically bitter pill of acknowledging the renewal of Jewish statehood.

These changes occurred at a time when we sought to forge new alliances. Whereas the Catholic commitment to Israel and the Jewish people is a far cry from the unequivocal passionate love extended towards us by Evangelical Christians, the Catholic Church today represents an important ally in the global struggle against anti-Semitism.

This is especially so now when our traditional leftist and liberal allies have effectively forsaken us.

Pope Benedict’s predecessor, Polish-born Pope John Paul II possessed warm personality traits that many Jews found attractive. His emotional disposition contrasted with the cold, academic and dour personality of his successor.

But leaders must be judged by their acts not their personalities. And during his visit Pope Benedict explicitly reiterated that “the Catholic Church is irrevocably committed to a genuine and lasting reconciliation between Christians and Jews.”

Many of us fail to appreciate that an ally is not obliged to share all our values. Pope Benedict is the Catholic pontiff, not a Jewish activist.

Yet it took extraordinary courage for him to decide of his own free will to visit Israel, conscious that he was entering such a huge minefield. Even if some of his speeches lacked the sensitivity and emotional appeal associated with his predecessor, this does not justify the primitive pillorying to which the pope was subjected by the Israeli media.

There were even occasions when Joseph Ratzinger’s Hitler Youth and Wehrmacht background were raised without pointing out that his parents were anti-Nazi, that every German youngster at the time was obliged to become a member of the Hitler youth, and that he had deserted the army.

At Yad Vashem, his speechwriters should have drafted a less theological and tepid address and endeavored to deal with his German past in an open manner. His family record displays no grounds for embarrassment and in 2006 at Auschwitz he had movingly related to his German background.

The condemnations directed against him for not “apologizing” for his past were grotesque. In contrast to the dignified welcoming remarks by Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen who never flinched in directly expressing his concerns to the pope about the beatification of Pius XII, other Rabbis began beating up on him.

Shas Rabbis and some of their associates even called for a boycott prior to his arrival. He was also harshly criticized by the worldlier Chief Rabbi Yisrael Lau, who despite subsequent more balanced remarks, should have known better.

But to his credit, Pope Benedict carried on. He repeatedly condemned anti-Semitism, which he describes as “a sin against God and man.” When he spoke about the Shoah, he was criticized for referring to victims being killed rather than murdered and for not apologizing.

Despite the inadequate Catholic responses during the Shoah, one can appreciate the pontiff’s determination not to agree that his Church should accept responsibility for the Nazi murder of six million Jews. In his moving departure speech at the airport he totally vindicated himself.

Besides that, he also made important statements breaking new ground that were hardly even mentioned. The most dramatic was his announcement that all missionary activity amongst Jews would be terminated.

Whilst we have grounds for being critical about the politically correct statements the pope made for the benefit of the Palestinians, we should note that he was consistent and also failed to even mention the persecution Christians are undergoing. Yet at the outset of his visit at Mount Nebo, he probably surprised his Jordanian hosts when he referred to the “inseparable bond” between the Catholic Church and Judaism.

He also praised Israel for safeguarding absolute freedom of religious practice. At an interfaith meeting when PA representative Sheikh Tamimi launched an obscene anti-Israeli tirade, the pope and his entourage demonstrated their feelings by walking out.
We must appreciate that the Pope is not a Zionist and his primary obligations are to his religion, his Church, his bishops and his 1.5 billion followers. It was thus not surprising that despite repeated calls to the Palestinians to renounce violence, he expressed biased pro-Palestinian remarks which irritated us. We were also disappointed that he failed to deal with the Iranian threats.

However, we should also take into account that many of his pro-Palestinian remarks paralleled statements currently being expressed by spokesmen of the Obama administration. Nevertheless, his comments were considerably less offensive than the standard condemnations directed against us by the Europeans.

We should perhaps note the stark contrast of Pope Benedict’s visit to Pope Paul Vl’s visit to the region only half a century ago in 1964, when he could not even bring himself to mention Israel by name.

We should reserve our wrath for outright hostile Christians like those in the Anglican Church and bodies affiliated with the radical World Council of Churches who insist that Judaism has no role and whose sanctimonious hypocrisy, employment of double standards and vicious attacks against the Jewish state are beyond contempt.

If these churches were even remotely as friendly as Pope Benedict, we would be embracing them.

There is a need for us to control our emotions. We should take into account the tremendous progress the Church has achieved in combating anti-Semitism and building bridges with our people. That should not inhibit us from speaking up and expressing our concerns about negative Catholic policies. But we should actively encourage popes to retain their constructive preoccupation with Judaism and the Holy Land and continue strengthening relations with the Jewish people. (Read entire article)

Hat Tip: Opinionated Catholic

In Defense of the Bishop of Rome

As always, Christopher @ Pope Benedict in Israel has the most cogent analysis and responses to the daily, inane and counter-factual vitriol spewed against His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

Rachel Adams quoting Jonathan Tobin at The Weekly Standard:

“Like it or not, Israel and the Church are on the same side of a clash of civilizations in which radical Islam is a deadly threat to both Jews and Christians. Rather than bashing the Pope, Israelis and Jews need to embrace him as a friend, best as they can.”

She goes on to further quote Tobin by denoting that Israeli anger is misplaced, notwithstanding the comparisons of speeches made by John Paul II & Benedict XVI, at Yad Vashem.

Ultimately, she contends that "if there are apologies still to be made to the survivors of the Nazi extermination machine, why not demand them of the memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, so beloved of American Jews, who sat for years with the full knowledge of the catastrophe that was befalling the Jews of Europe, doing his damndest to keep them from trying to save themselves by reaching our shores."

"Broader Purpose of Dialogue is to Discover the Truth"

Source: Apostleship of Prayer

For those who perpetually and maliciously continue to alter, manipulate, denigrate & lambaste the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, you would do well to, at a modicum, either read, in its entirety His remarks, (this is why I reprint, as much as possible entire discourses here) or at least have a cursory glance at his record both as the Supreme Pontiff and as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Papal Videos-Western Wall & Chief Rabbis

Source: Vatican You Tube

"Irrevocably Committed" to Reconcialiation with Jews

Pope Benedict XVI, receives a gift from Israeli chief Rabbis Shlomo Amar, right, and Yona Metzger, left, at the center for the Jewish Heritage in Jerusalem, Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The pope told Israel's two chief rabbis that the Catholic Church is "irrevocably committed" to "a genuine and lasting reconciliation between Christians and Jews." (AP-Day Life)

Vatican Radio reprint of Pope's remarks with Chief Israeli Rabbis:

Distinguished Rabbis,

Dear Friends,

I am grateful for the invitation to visit Heichal Shlomo and to meet with you during this trip of mine to the Holy Land as Bishop of Rome. I thank Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger for their warm words of welcome and the desire they have expressed to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship which the Catholic Church and the Chief Rabbinate have labored so diligently to forge over the past decades. Your visits to the Vatican in 2003 and 2005 are a sign of the good will which characterizes our developing relations.

Distinguished Rabbis, I reciprocate by expressing my own respect and esteem for you and your communities. I assure you of my desire to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between the Holy See, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and Jewish people throughout the world.
A great source of satisfaction for me since the beginning of my pontificate has been the fruit yielded by the ongoing dialogue between the Delegation of the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s Delegation for Relations with the Catholic Church. I wish to thank the members of both delegations for their dedication and hard work in implementing this initiative, so earnestly desired by my esteemed predecessor Pope John Paul II, as he said during the Great Jubilee Year of 2000.

Our encounter today is a most fitting occasion to give thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings which have accompanied the dialogue conducted by the Bilateral Commission, and to look forward with expectation to its future sessions. The willingness of the delegates to discuss openly and patiently not only points of agreement, but also points of difference, has already paved the way to more effective collaboration in public life. Jews and Christians alike are concerned to ensure respect for the sacredness of human life, the centrality of the family, a sound education for the young, and the freedom of religion and conscience for a healthy society. These themes of dialogue represent only the initial phases of what we trust will be a steady, progressive journey towards an enhanced mutual understanding.

An indication of the potential of this series of meetings is readily seen in our shared concern in the face of moral relativism and the offences it spawns against the dignity of the human person. In approaching the most urgent ethical questions of our day, our two communities are challenged to engage people of good will at the level of reason, while simultaneously pointing to the religious foundations which best sustain lasting moral values. May the dialogue that has begun continue to generate ideas on how Christians and Jews can work together to heighten society’s appreciation of the distinctive contribution of our religious and ethical traditions. Here in Israel, given that Christians constitute only a small portion of the total population, they particularly value opportunities for dialogue with their Jewish neighbors.

Trust is undeniably an essential element of effective dialogue. Today I have the opportunity to repeat that the Catholic Church is irrevocably committed to the path chosen at the Second Vatican Council for a genuine and lasting reconciliation between Christians and Jews. As the Declaration Nostra Aetate makes clear, the Church continues to value the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews and desires an ever deeper mutual understanding and respect through biblical and theological studies as well as fraternal dialogues.

May the seven Bilateral Commission meetings which have already taken place between the Holy See and the Chief Rabbinate stand as evidence! I am thus grateful for your reciprocal assurance that the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Chief Rabbinate will continue to grow in respect and understanding in the future.

My friends, I express again my deep appreciation for the welcome you have extended to me today. I am confident that our friendship will continue to set an example of trust in dialogue for Jews and Christians throughout the world. Looking at the accomplishments achieved thus far, and drawing our inspiration from the Holy Scriptures, we can confidently look forward to even stronger cooperation between our communities – together with all people of good will – in decrying hatred and oppression throughout the world.

I pray that God, who searches our hearts and knows our thoughts (Ps 139:23), will continue to enlighten us with his wisdom, so that we may follow his commandments to love him with all our heart, soul and strength (cf. Dt 6:5), and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev 19:18). Thank you.

Relevant Links:

Video excepts of emotional Chief Rabbinate's & Pope's discourses

Rabbi Metzger thanked the Pope & asked for further overtures of goodwill

Round up of full spectrum of reactions and commentary regarding the Papal visit

Soviets Smeared Pius XII

Hat Tip: NCRegister.com

Bishop of Rome's Day in Jordan

Hat Tip: Rome Reports

Pope Re-Affirms Bonds with Jews

During his remarks at Mt. Nebo, The Holy Father conveyed "a desire to overcome all obstacles to the reconciliation of Christians and Jews in mutual respect and cooperation in the service of that peace to which the word of God calls us."

YNet News:

Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday that his visit to the Middle East was a reminder of the "inseparable bond" Between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people, a relationship that has been strained at times under his leadership. He spoke from Mount Nebo, the hill overlooking the Jordan valley from where the Bible says Moses saw the Promised Land.

"May our encounter today inspire in us a renewed love for the canon of sacred scripture and a desire to overcome all obstacles to the reconciliation of Christians and Jews in mutual respect and cooperation in the service of that peace to which the word of God calls us," said the German-born Benedict.

The pope's visit to Mount Nebo was the first of many that Benedict will make to holy places during his first visit to the Middle East. His visit to Jordan is his first to an Arab country since becoming Pope.

"The ancient tradition of pilgrimage to the holy places also reminds us of the inseparable bond between the church and the Jewish people," said Benedict. "From the beginning, the church in these lands has commemorated in her liturgy the great figures of the patriarchs and prophets, as a sign of her profound appreciation of the unity of the two testaments." (Read full article)

Papal Interview on Shepherd One

During His flight to Jordan, Pope Benedict XVI held a news conference.

Below is the text version, as reported by ZENIT:

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, MAY 8, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the unofficial transcript of the press conference Benedict XVI gave today aboard the papal plane en route to Amman, Jordan, on the first leg of his Holy Land trip.

* * *

Father Lombardi: Your Holiness, we thank you for granting us an encounter with you at the beginning of a trip that is so important and difficult. Among other things, you have given us as well the opportunity to wish you a good trip and to tell you that we will collaborate in disseminating the message that you wish to give. As is habitual, the questions we now ask are the result of a collection of questions posed by all the colleagues here present. I ask them for logistical reasons, but they are in reality the fruit of team work.

Your Holiness, this trip takes place at very delicate moment for the Middle East: There are strong tensions -- during the Gaza crisis it was speculated that you would not make this trip. At the same time, a few days after your trip, the political leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority will meet with [U.S.] President [Barack] Obama. Do you think that you could contribute to the peace process that now seems to be running aground?

Benedict XVI: Good morning! Before all else, I would like to thank you all for the work you have done, and I wish you all a good trip, a good pilgrimage, and a good return.

Regarding the question, certainly I intend to contribute to peace, but not as an individual, but in the name of the Catholic Church, of the Holy See. We are not a political power, but rather a spiritual force, and this spiritual force is a reality that can contribute to the progress of the peace process.

I see [a contribution to be made on] three levels: As believers, we are convinced that prayer is a true force. It opens the world to God: We are convinced that God listens and that he can act in history. I think that if millions of people -- believers -- would pray, it could really be a force that could influence and contribute to the advancement of peace.

Second point: We try to help in the formation of consciences. The conscience is the capacity of mankind to perceive the truth, but particular interests often block this capacity. And it is a big job to liberate from these interests, to open more to the truth, to the true values: It is a duty of the Church to help one to know the true criteria, the true values, and to liberate ourselves from particular interests.

And thus, the third point, let us draw reason in as well -- precisely this is it: precisely because we are not a political party, perhaps too we can more easily, with the light of faith, see the true criteria, help bring an understanding of what contributes to peace and speak to reason, to support the truly reasonable positions. And this we have already done, and we want to do so now and in the future.

Father Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness.

Second question: As a theologian, you have reflected in particular on the common roots that unite Christians and Jews. How is it possible that, despite the efforts of dialogue, misunderstandings often occur? How do you see the future of dialogue between the two communities?

Benedict XVI: The important thing is that in reality we have the same roots, the same Books of the Old Testament that are -- as much for the Jews as for us -- the Book of Revelation. But naturally, after 2,000 years of living a distinct history, even a separate one, the fact that misunderstandings arise shouldn't be a surprise. Traditions of interpretation, language, and thinking have been formed that are very distinct, we could say a "semantic cosmos" that is very distinct, in such a way that the same word for both traditions signifies different things. And with the use of these words that, in the course of history have taken on different meanings, obviously misunderstandings are born.

We should do everything to learn the language of the other, and it seems to me that we have made great progress. Today we have the possibility of the youth, of the future professors of theology, who can study in Jerusalem, in the Hebrew university, and the Jews have academic contact with us: In this way an encounter of the distinct "semantic cosmos" is made possible.

We learn mutually and we advance on the path of true dialogue, we learn from one another and I am sure and convinced that we are making progress. And this would also help peace, and what is more, reciprocal love.

Father Lombardi: Your Holiness, in this journey you have two essential dimensions of inter religious dialogue, with Islam and with Jews. Is there a common message that has to do with the three religions that make reference to Abraham?

Benedict XVI: Certainly there exists a common message, and there will be an occasion to present it and, despite the difference of origins, we have common roots, because, as I have said, Christianity is born of the Old Testament, and the writings of the New Testament wouldn't exist without the Old, because it refers permanently to Scripture, that is to say, to the Old Testament.
Islam was also born in an environment where Judaism and various branches of Christianity, Judeo-Christianity, Antiochian-Byzantine-Christianity were present, and all these circumstances are reflected in the tradition of the Quran. In this way we have much in common from our origins, in the faith in the one God. For that, it is important on one hand to maintain dialogue with the two parts -- with the Jews and with Islam -- and as well a trilateral dialogue.

I myself have cofounded a foundation for the dialogue between the three religions where figures such as Metropolitain Damaskinos and the chief rabbi of France, René-Samuel Sirat, etc. gathered. This foundation also published an edition of the books of the three religions: the Quran, the New Testament and the Old Testament. For this reason the trilateral dialogue should go forward, it is very important for peace, and as well for living one's own religion well.

Father Lombardi: A last question. Your Holiness, you have often mentioned the problem of the decline of the Christians in the Middle East, and also in particular in the Holy Land. It is a phenomenon with various reasons of a political, economic and social character. What can be done to help the Christians in the region? What contribution do you hope to give with your trip? Is there hope for these Christians in the future? Do you have a particular message as well for the Christians of Gaza that will come to see you in Bethlehem?

Benedict XVI: Certainly there is hope, because now is a moment, as you have said, that is difficult, but also a moment of hope, of a new start, of a new impulse in the path toward peace, and we want to encourage the Christians in the Holy Land, and in all of the Middle East, to stay, to give their contribution to the countries of their origins: They are important components of life in these regions.

Specifically the Church, beyond words of encouragement, has schools and hospitals. In this sense we have a very concrete presence. Our schools form a generation that will have the possibility to be present in public life. We are creating the Catholic University in Jordan, it seems to me this is a great place where the youth -- both Muslims and Christians -- meet, learn together, where a Christian elite is formed that is prepared specifically to work for peace.

But generally, our schools are very important opportunities to open up a future for Christians, and the hospitals show our presence. Furthermore, there are many Christian associations that help Christians in various ways, and with specific help they encourage them to stay. In this way I hope that Christians are able to find the value, the humility, the patience to stay in these countries, to offer their contribution to their nation's future.

Father Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness, with these answers you have helped to set the tone for our trip from a spiritual point of view, and from a cultural point of view. I repeat the wishes, also on behalf of all the colleagues here present, and on behalf of those flying now to the Holy Land to help with the media end of this trip, for the success of this difficult mission. Have a good trip and, good work as well to all our colleagues.

Catholic Outreach to Judaism

Source: Vatican You Tube Channel

Moreover, Zenit reports that the Holy Father will visit Rome's primary synagogue:

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 13, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will visit Rome's main synagogue this fall, confirms a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Jesuit Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said Thursday that the visit is scheduled for the fall, but the exact date has yet to be determined.

Benedict XVI will be the second Pope to visit that temple in the history of Vatican-Jewish relations. Pope John Paul II visited Rome's synagogue in 1986.

The current Pope has visited two other synagogues as Pope. The first was during the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, German, and the second was the synagogue of New York in 2008.

Rome's chief rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, told Vatican Radio that the planned visit is "an important gesture that confirms the will to continue an attitude of respect and friendship."

He said John Paul II's visit to the synagogue of Rome "opened a new era" of Vatican-Jewish relations.

The rabbi also spoke positively of Benedict XVI's scheduled trip to the Holy Land. He called it a gesture of "attention" and "respect."

Di Segni admitted there are "many problems" in relations between Jews and Christians -- "theological, historical, delicate problems that separate us."

While admitting some differences will never be resolved, he acknowledged that the two traditions share many common values: "If the conflictive elements are taken away, everything that follows can be a great fruit and a great good for all."

The rabbi added that relations between Jews and the Vatican have calmed down this week: "Many of the clouds that had gathered have disappeared. A climate of good will prevails, and that is very important."

Indissovable Catholic-Jewish Covenant

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, "met on Thursday with representatives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, who were joined by Catholic participants of the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with Jews. "

Complete text of His Holiness' remarks, via Vatican Radio, below:

Distinguished representatives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel,

Dear Catholic Delegates,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, the delegation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, together with Catholic participants led by the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. The important dialogue in which you are engaged is a fruit of the historical visit of my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II to the Holy Land in March 2000. It was his wish to enter into a dialogue with Jewish religious institutions in Israel and his encouragement was decisive to attaining this goal. Receiving the two Chief Rabbis of Israel in January 2004 he called this dialogue a "sign of great hope”.

During these seven years not only has the friendship between the Commission and the Chief Rabbinate increased, but you have also been able to reflect on important themes which are relevant to the Jewish and Christian traditions alike. Because we recognize a common rich spiritual patrimony a dialogue based on mutual understanding and respect is, as Nostra Aetate (n. 4) recommends, necessary and possible.

Working together you have become increasingly aware of the common values which stand at the basis of our respective religious traditions, studying them during the seven meetings held either here in Rome or in Jerusalem. You have reflected on the sanctity of life, family values, social justice and ethical conduct, the importance of the word of God expressed in Holy Scriptures for society and education, the relationship between religious and civil authority and the freedom of religion and conscience. In the common declarations released after every meeting, the views which are rooted in both our respective religious convictions have been highlighted, while the differences of understanding have also been acknowledged.

The Church recognizes that the beginnings of her faith are found in the historical divine intervention in the life of the Jewish people and that here our unique relationship has its foundation. The Jewish people, who were chosen as the elected people, communicate to the whole human family, knowledge of and fidelity to the one, unique and true God. Christians gladly acknowledge that their own roots are found in the same self-revelation of God, in which the religious experience of the Jewish people is nourished. (emphasis added)

As you know, I am preparing to visit the Holy Land as a pilgrim. My intention is to pray especially for the precious gift of unity and peace both within the region and for the worldwide human family. As Psalm 125 brings to mind, God protects his people: "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore".

May my visit also help to deepen the dialogue of the Church with the Jewish people so that Jews and Christians and also Muslims may live in peace and harmony in this Holy Land.

I thank you for your visit and I renew my personal commitment to advancing the vision set out for coming generations in the Second Vatican Council's declaration Nostra Aetate.

Click here for BENEDICT XVI's official letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church concerning the remission of the excommunication of the four Bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre.

Lastly, read here the positive reaction to the letter and overture from World Jewish Congress President, Ronald Lauder, as well as The Jerusalem Post.

UPDATE 1:

Zenit has an update regarding the closure remarks of Shear-Yashuv Cohen, the chief rabbi of Haifa.