FORTY YEARS OF NOSTRA AETATE
PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS

Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal, The National Council of Synagogues

BACKGROUND

The Reform and Conservative movements have been involved in interreligious and interfaith activities for many years. Sometimes those relationships were tense; at other times they were fruitful and cordial. But they have improved markedly in the past forty years or so.

Forty years ago, on October 28, 1965, Pope Paul VI promulgated the historic declaration of the Vatican II Council, Nostra Aetate. In doing so, the Pope brought to fruition the heroically pioneering efforts of his predecessor, Pope John XXIII, who had set the course for aggiornamento, as he described the new direction of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican Council II that he convened in 1962 and which was to last beyond his papacy (he died in 1963) and would conclude in 1965, was designed to start a new day for the Catholic world, bringing its teachings into the 20^th century. Pope John had witnessed the terror of the Holocaust close up as nuncio in Bulgaria and then in Turkey. In both posts, he had sought mitigate the tragedy of the decimation of Europe's Jews by issuing visas and seeking to deter the Nazis and their local collaborators from achieving their goal of rendering Europe Judenrein. He knew what the Holocaust meant; he was appalled that it occurred in Christian Europe not in the middle ages but in the 20th century. Among his early steps upon ascending the throne of St. Peter's was to remove to the odious pro perfidis Judaeis prayer from the Good Friday liturgy. In his first significant meeting with Jewish leaders, he introduced himself in unforgettable style, proclaiming, "I am Joseph your brother." He was determined to set a new course for Jewish-Catholic relations and try to undo some of the horrible damage cause by the many centuries of the "teaching of contempt" and he charged his theologians and scholars to prepare a statement on the Jews and their relationship to the Roman Catholic Church. The result of that impetus is part of section IV of Nostra Aetate that deals with relations between the Church and the Jewish people (1, 2, 3, 4).

The main points of the statement represent a Copernican revolution in Catholic thinking about the Jewish religion and people. The document indicates that Israel was the chosen of God, that the Old Testament is the source of the Church's revelation and that, in the words of Paul (Romans 11), the Church is the wild shoot grafted on the well-cultivated olive tree of Judaism from which it draws sustenance. The declaration reiterates the common patrimony and kinship the Church feels with the Jews, since Jesus and his apostles were Jews. God does not repent of his gifts or calls; indeed, God holds the Jews dear. The Jewish authorities and their followers of the time pressed for the death of Jesus, but his passion cannot be charged against all Jews then or today. Besides, Jesus underwent his passion and death freely. The Church urges that its members foster understanding and respect and encourage studies and dialogue between the faith groups. The Church deplores anti-Semitism and calls on preachers and teachers to assure that catechetical works and preaching conform to this truth (10).

Was the document perfect? Hardly: Richard Cardinal Cushing of Boston, one of its champions, declared that it is only "a good start." Indeed, the old doctrine of supersessionism, the notion that Judaism has been superseded or replaced by the Christian church, is found in one passage: "Although the Church is the new people of God, Jews should not be presented as rejected by God or accursed as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures." But Nostra Aetate laid the foundation on which crucial declarations, documents and actions were built. Additionally, Vatican II served as a catalyst for the Protestant churches to reevaluate their relations with Judaism and their derelictions during the period of the Holocaust (3, 5, 6, 7).

A series of highly important documents on Catholic-Jewish relations followed. They include: "Guidelines for Implementing the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate" (1974); "Notes on the Correct Way to Present Jews and Judaism in Preaching and Catachesis" (1985); "God's Mercy Endures Forever: Guidelines on the Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Catholic Preaching" (1988); "We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah" (1998); "The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible" (2002). Textbooks and catechisms used in Catholic schools have been purged of anti-Jewish materials. There has been a genuine reevaluation of preaching and teaching. Guidelines for preachers as to the need to avoid giving rise to anti-Jewish sentiments especially around the Easter season are issued regularly. There is a new openness to dialogue and joint study programs. Many Catholic colleges and universities have established chairs in Judaic and Holocaust studies, and some have set up Catholic-Jewish learning centers. The Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews (currently headed by Walter Cardinal Kasper) meets regularly with Jewish religious leaders and issues significant statements and position papers on aspects of the Jewish-Christian encounter. The Catholic-Jewish Consultation Committee consisting of delegates of the National Council of Synagogues and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops convenes twice yearly (10).

No pope has spent more time on Jewish-Catholic relations than the present one, John Paul II. He has visited Auschwitz, denounced anti-Semitism as a sin against God and humanity, visited the synagogue in Rome, called for teshuvah and the purification of memory in dealing with the Holocaust, launched diplomatic recognition of the State of Israel (1993), and has met frequently with Jewish leaders and rabbis. Most dramatically and poignantly, he visited Israel, praying at the Wall and at Yad Vashem (2000), begging forgiveness for Christian complicity and indifference in the era of the Holocaust and for the pernicious teachings and behavior of the preceding centuries. He refers to the relationship of the two faiths as one of elder brother and younger brother and he summons us both to be a blessing to each other and the world (4, 9).

Have we accomplished all we had hoped for? Hardly. Is there still much work to be done? Naturally: we cannot expect to undo the damage of nineteen centuries of the teaching of contempt in a mere forty years. But despite setbacks and frustrations (of which the handling of the recent film, "The Passion of the Christ," by many Protestant and Catholic clergy who ignored recent church teachings and official documents is one striking example) and notwithstanding the tensions and friction generated by pressure points such as the conflict between the State of Israel and its Muslim and Christian Arab neighbors, we have come along way from the terrible times when Jews and Catholics would barely speak to one another; when priests and rabbis shunned one another with mistrust and even disgust; when Catholics thought of Jews as a deicide people and Jews considered Catholics as idolaters. There is currently no office in the Vatican and no program for the conversion of Jews. That says a great deal.

PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS

This forthcoming 40^th anniversary of Nostra Aetate is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate and rededicate ourselves as Jews and Catholics to implement to the fullest the principles of Nostra Aetate and the subsequent documents and pronouncements that have propelled it even further in tearing down the ancient walls of suspicion, misunderstanding and hatred. If you already have a relationship with the local Catholic parish and priests or with the local diocese or archdiocese and its ecumenical officer, the development of a joint program of celebration and learning should follow naturally and easily. If you do not enjoy such a relationship, this would be a perfect opportunity to inaugurate such a relationship. There are several possible programs and formats that might suit you particular needs.

JOINT DISCUSSION

The recently released set of six 15-minutes videos, "Walking God's Paths: Christians and Jews in Candid Conversation," is a logical and pleasant way to share insights in each other's faith. The first in the series deals at length with Vatican II and its primary teachings. There is an excellent on-line User's Guide that should be of significant help to the facilitators who lead the discussion of the films. It would be desirable to convene a mixed audience of Catholics and Jews, limiting the number to not more than 25 or so in order to enable the group to properly discuss the contents. The facilitators should be persons who are knowledgeable and comfortable in the field of Christian-Jewish relations. The local rabbi and priest are the logical persons to lead the discussion. Alternately, a professor of religion from the community or a worker in the area of interreligious affairs might fill the bill.

JOINT STUDY

Joint study of basic documents and texts is always in order and usually proves to be fruitful and enlightening. A joint study of Nostra Aetate is a basic way to begin. The group might also analyze some of the key documents that were issued in the wake of Vatican II. Similarly, joint study of appropriate biblical texts dealing with messiah, the age to come, the crucifixion, the role of Jews and Judaism in the post-Jesus era, rabbinic texts on other faiths as well as Patristic teachings about Judaism and relevant papal pronouncements and bulls might be fruitful for a better understanding of how the two faiths parted and yet remained bound to each other. It would also be helpful to study the Jewish document, Dabru Emet, in order to become acquainted with more contemporary Jewish voices on the need for rapprochement between the faiths. Caution: The teachers or study leaders must be knowledgeable people lest they distort or misinterpret the various doctrines (1, 7, 8, 10).

PUBLIC SPEAKERS

What better occasion to invite a distinguished theologian or professor of religious studies or director of the nearby center for Christian-Jewish learning than this forthcoming anniversary? In larger urban areas, the local universities and seminaries should be able to supply such a person or persons. A series of lectures under the join auspices of the local parishes and synagogues, addressed by Catholic and Jewish religion experts, would surely attract a respectable attendance. A social hour following the lectures would further enhance the fellowship aspect of such events.

LEARNING ABOUT RITUALS

This would also be an appropriate occasion to learn more about rituals of the two faiths, some of which we share in common. A visit to a synagogue service on the Sabbath or even High Holidays, Sukkot or at a Passover Seder would open the eyes of many non-Jews, many of whom have never witnessed a Jewish service or listened to the sermon of the rabbi. Similarly, Jews might visit their local parish church to see what goes on there on a Sunday morning, what the Mass and Eucharist are all about, what the liturgy is like, and what the local priest selects for his sermon or homily It would be interesting to hear the local priest and rabbi speak on the topic, "What Do Vatican II and Nostra Aetate Mean to Me?"

A JOINT CONCERT

Music has the remarkable ability to move, inspire and unite people. Several years ago, Pope John Paul II convened a special concert in the Vatican led by Maestro Gilbert Levine, to recall the victims of the Holocaust. It was a potently unforgettable experience. This would be a fine opportunity to assemble cantors, soloists, choirs and musicians from your neighboring churches and synagogues for a joint concert. It would afford our congregants an opportunity to become acquainted with the liturgy of the other faiths. And it would present a powerful statement that harmony between religions is both possible and necessary.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Doubtlessly, the local media, including the newspapers and radio and television stations, would be more than happy to cover such events. These stories sell papers and attract readers and viewers; they make for good press. By all means, the local synagogues and churches should encourage and stimulate the local media to report on these and other events that will take place to mark the anniversary of Nostra Aetate. The more accurate and ample publicity, the more Americans will understand the import of this great and historic document and the ensuing developments for the good in Christian-Jewish relations. Thus we might be re-invigorated to pursue our common goal: to tear down walls of hatred and suspicion and build instead bridges of understanding and respect.

N.B. Numbers in the above text refer to bibliographic items below.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES

1. Boys, Mary, Has God Only One Blessing? Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2000.
   Cunningham, Philip, A Story of Shalom. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2001.
2. Frymer-Kensky, Tikva, Novak, David, Ochs, Peter, Sandmel, David Fox, Signer, Michael (eds.), Christianity in Jewish Terms. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2000.
3. Heschel, Abraham Joshua, "No Religion is an Island," in Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity, ed. by Susannah Heschel, New York: Farrar, Straus and Garrets, 1997, pp. 235-302.
4. John Paul II, Spiritual Pilgrimage: Texts on Jews and Judaism 1979-1995, ed. by Eugene Fisher and Leon Klenicki. N.Y.: Crossroads, 1995.
5. Korn, Eugene and Pawlikowski, John (eds.), Two Faiths, One Covenant? Jewish and Christian Identity in the Presence of the Other. Lanham, MD: Sheed and Ward, 2005.
6. Merton, Thomas, Merton and Judaism: Recognition, Repentance and Renewal. ed. by Beatrice Bruteau and Victor A. Kramer. Louisville, KY: Fons Vitae, 2003.
7. Sandmel, David, Catalano, Rosann, Leighton, Christopher, Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource for Jew and Christians. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2001.
8. Sandmel, Samuel, A Jewish Understanding of the New Testament. Woodstock, VT:
   Skylight Paths, 2004.
9. Sherwin, Byron, and Kasimow, Harold (eds.), John Paul II and Interreligious Dialogue, Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1999.
10. The Bible, The Jews and the Death of Jesus. The Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, DC: 2004.

FILMS AND ARCHIVES

"Walking God's Paths: Christians and Jews in Candid Conversation." User's Guide available on line. Produced by Philip Cunningham, John Michalczyk and Gilbert S. Rosenthal. Available from the Union for Reform Judaism Press Order Department (212-650-4120, www.urjpress.com) or the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Book Service (800-594-6517, booksvc@uscj.org). Six 15-minute films available in VHS or DVD dealing with aspects of Catholic-Jewish relations, common origins, different approaches to reading the Bible, common rituals and festival, and shared expectations for the future society.

"I Am Joseph Your Brother." A Sixty-minute film produced by the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel and the Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies of Baltimore. Accompanied by a Learning Resource. Deals with the developments in Catholic-Jewish relations since Vatican II.

Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College. The website is particularly rich in documents, news, essays and lectures on topics encompassing a wide range of issues in Christian-Jewish relations. www.bc.edu/cjlearning.

US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Their website contains much information on Catholic affairs, religious developments, Vatican news and relations with other faith groups. www.usccb.org.

SDIC Roma is the website of numerous documents dealing with Christian-Jewish relations. www.sidic.org.

www.jcrelations.net is a website operated by the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ) and contains a rich collection of speeches, documents, declarations and other resources.

"Open Doors, Open Minds" is a detailed curriculum for a course on Jewish-Christian relations utilizing films, texts and other resources. It is available from the Union for Reform Judaism.

PUBLIC SPEAKERS

Contact Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal for suggested speakers (anngil@worldnet.att.net).