I would like to invite you to join us on Oct. 28 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of “Nostra Aetate,” the groundbreaking Second Vatican Council document that redefined the Catholic Church’s relationship with Judaism and other world religions.
I will be speaking at the event with Dr. Steve Chervin, co-chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey. Please join us, as all are welcome!
It’s hard to believe that we will be celebrating this milestone. We have celebrated this event with our local Jewish community since the 25th anniversary. When we came together that year, I had just begun my ministry as the director of ecumenical and interreligious affairs for the Diocese of Camden.
“Nostra Aetate” is a document that revolutionized Catholic relations with other world religions by promoting mutual understanding and respect. The document includes the rejection of the charge of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus, affirming the continued validity of God’s covenant with the Jewish people, condemning antisemitism, and encouraging respectful dialogue with Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. It emphasized the shared spiritual heritage with Judaism and recognizes shared values in other faiths.
This document officially ended centuries of negative stereotypes and inaugurated an era of improved understanding, respect and dialogue between the two faiths. The document, which directly addressed the unique relationship between Catholics and Jews, explicitly states that Jews cannot and should not be held collectively responsible for Jesus’ Crucifixion. It also formally declares antisemitism to be a sin contrary to Catholic teachings. It acknowledges the enduring validity of God’s covenant with the Jewish people and the spiritual richness of Judaism. It calls for greater respect and understanding between Catholics and Jews, and urges an end to discrimination based on race, color, condition of life or religion.
“Nostra Aetate” unleashed a new era of dialogue with the Jewish community worldwide. It directly addressed and worked to dismantle centuries-old stereotypes and accusations, and teaches that Jews should not be called or portrayed as “rejected or accursed.” It also affirmed that God’s covenant with the Jewish people remains valid and that Jews have preserved their faith through suffering. A new teaching emerged from the document that Christianity’s roots are in Judaism, fostering a new vision of respect and dialogue based on our shared history and scriptures.
Our relations with the Jewish people were fundamentally changed with this document, as “Nostra Aetate” unleashed an unprecedented “Golden Age” of Catholic-Jewish relations, characterized by dialogue, cooperation and the establishment of formal structures to implement its new teachings.
“Nostra Aetate” has influenced our local relationship with our Jewish neighbors here in South Jersey, as well. Please join us at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Congregation Beth El, 8000 Main St., Voorhees Township. Register at jcrcsnj.regfox.com/2025-nostra-aetate.
Father Joseph D. Wallace is diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco.
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