On Dec. 16, another historical first took place in Catholic-Jewish relations here in the Diocese of Camden. Some 50 priests gathered with Bishop Sullivan and a good number of local rabbis at Lions Gate in Voorhees to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council document that initiated our church’s outreach to non-Christian religions.
We first enjoyed a friendly lunch with one another and then listened to a scholarly presentation on the document and a couple of recent documents on interfaith relations issued by the Vatican and various statements made by major rabbinate groups in Europe.
The presenters for the day were Dr. Philip Cunningham, professor of theology and director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations of St. Joseph University. An expert in biblical studies, religious education and theologies of Christian-Jewish relations, he is the author of numerous books and articles on these subjects, most recently, “Seeking Shalom: The Journey to Right Relationships between Catholics and Jews.” He serves as president of the International Council of Christians and Jews and is secretary and webmaster for the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations.
The other speaker was Dr. Adam Gregerman, assistant professor of Jewish Studies and assistant director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations. With training in classical Jewish and Christian sources, he studies the complex relationship between our two traditions from antiquity to the present day. He focuses on biblical interpretation and religious polemics, especially about theologies of the land of Israel and experiences of suffering and loss. He is the author of a forthcoming book, “Building on the Ruins of the Temple: Apologetics and Polemics in Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism.”
Bishop Sullivan set the tone of the afternoon by welcoming all present to this historic gathering and reminded us all of the importance of Nostra Aetate, the “Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions.”
He said, “Our eminent speakers this afternoon will focus our attention on the fourth chapter that once and for all overturned the erroneous teachings that the Jewish people as a whole were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus and therefore were rejected by God or their covenant revoked. It also unequivocally condemned any form of anti-Semitism and affirmed that ‘God holds the Jews most dear,’ and it called for mutual understanding and dialogue, inaugurated a new era of positive relationship and engagement, that hitherto was inconceivable.”
Bishop went on to enumerate the many official documents and agreements that flowed from Nostra Aetate, as well as a short history of Jewish-Catholic gatherings and events that have taken place in the Diocese of Camden over the past 25 years.
Near the end of the presentation, before rabbis and priests broke into discussion groups to discuss the impact of Nostra Aetate, the presenters gave a cursory overview of the latest Vatican document issued last week titled, “The Gifts and Calling of God are Irrevocable,” which I hope to cover in greater detail in my next column.
In essence it confirms all the work accomplished in the past 50 years through dialogue and gestures of rapprochement that have unfolded since the promulgation of Nostra Aetate. The issuance of the new Vatican document came just a week after a group of Orthodox rabbis issued a groundbreaking statement calling Christianity part of a divine plan in which God would have Jews and Christians work together to redeem the world. The Orthodox statement prefigured the thrust of the Vatican document which made reference to the continued importance of “joint engagement throughout the world for justice, peace conservation of creation and reconciliation” among Jews and Catholics.
Speaking at the Vatican release of the document, Rabbi David Rosen, the American Jewish Committee’s international director of interreligious affairs, praised the text for advancing the recommendations made by Nostra Aetate.
“To appreciate and respect Jewish self-understanding; but also a deepening recognition of the place of Torah in the life of the Jewish people; and … an acknowledgment of the integrity of Jewish reading of the Bible that is different from the Christian one,” he said.
Catholic-Jewish relations are expected to be further strengthened early next year when Pope Francis is expected to visit Rome’s Great Synagogue on Jan. 17.
Father Joseph D. Wallace is director, Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs, Diocese of Camden.
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