Pope Francis condemns anti-Semitism
ROME (Press Release) – Pope Francis welcomed more than 100 leaders of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Wednesday and issued a strong condemnation of anti-Semitism. At a private audience with WJC President Ronald S. Lauder in the morning, the pontiff made it clear that outright attacks against Israel’s existence are a form of anti-Semitism.
“To attack Jews is anti-Semitism, but an outright attack on the State of Israel is also anti-Semitism. There may be political disagreements between governments and on political issues, but the State of Israel has every right to exist in safety and prosperity,” Pope Francis told Lauder and his delegation.
Jews and Catholics today marked the anniversary of the 1965 declaration Nostra Aetate, which condemned anti-Semitism and completely transformed and improved relations between Jews and Catholics.
Lauder praised the Pope for this powerful message and said relations between the two faiths were stronger than they had ever been before. The WJC president added: “Pope Francis does not simply make declarations. He inspires people with his warmth and his compassion. His clear and unequivocal support for the Jewish people is critical to us.”
Nearly 150 delegates and observers from the World Jewish Congress Governing Board took part in the public audience with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. The delegates were in Rome for the Board’s annual meeting.
Recalling Nostra Aetate, a declaration adopted on 28 October 1965 by the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis told the crowd in the square: “Indifference and opposition were transformed into cooperation and benevolence. Enemies and strangers have become friends and brothers. The Council, with the declaration Nostra Aetate, paved the way. It said yes to the rediscovery of the Jewish roots of Christianity, and no to any form of anti-Semitism and condemnation of any insult, discrimination and persecution derived from that.”
On Tuesday, the WJC Governing Board, representing more than 100 Jewish communities around the world, held discussions which focused on the implications facing Jewish communities in light of the various conflicts in the Middle East, including the threat of jihadist terrorism.
The Governing Board reaffirmed its continued support of a two-State solution and urged Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume peace talks without preconditions as soon as possible.
The Board also called on the international community to maintain and, if necessary, expand sanctions on Iran until there is verification and international acceptance of Iran’s compliance with all the conditions of the nuclear deal.
Concerning the refugee crisis, the delegates passed a resolution calling on the international community to provide refugees with sanctuary irrespective of origin or religion, recalling the Talmudic maxim that says, “He who saves a single life saves the whole world.” (Preceding provided by the World Jewish Congress)
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ADL congratulates Polish Episcopate on statement against anti-Semitism
NEW YORK (Press Release)– The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Wednesday, Oct. 28, commended the Polish Episcopate for declaring, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, that anti-Semitism is a sin and for stressing the importance to the church of Catholic-Jewish dialogue.
The Polish Episcopate’s pastoral letter asserted that “anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism are sins against the love of thy neighbor” and that, “Christian-Jewish dialogue must never be treated as ‘the religious hobby,’” but “…should increasingly become part of the mainstream of pastoral work.”
Rabbi David Sandmel, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs, issued the following statement:
“As we celebrate 50 years of progress in Catholic-Jewish relations since the Vatican II document called Nostra Aetate, it is heartening that the Polish Church saw fit to state unequivocally that anti-Semitism is a sin and that any effort to see Judaism as accursed must be rejected.
“With Anti-Semitism surging in Europe, this statement by the Polish Church could not have been more timely and should be a moral example to leaders, institutions and individuals throughout the European continent.” (Preceding provided by the Anti-Defamation League)