c. 1997 Religion News Service

JERUSALEM _ Jews must move away from a”theology of protest”based on their past maltreatment by Christians and move toward a two-way religious dialogue that seeks common ground and understanding, according to Cardinal Edward Cassidy, the Vatican’s top interreligious affairs official.

Cassidy, head of the Vatican’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, was a keynote speaker Monday (Feb. 10) at a symposium on the Future of Jewish-Catholic Relations in the World and in Israel/The Holy Land.

In his speech, Cassidy acknowledged that Catholics at the grassroots must absorb new church teachings of tolerance and understanding towards Jews. But he said Jews, too, must permit a”healing of memories”regarding past church-sponsored anti-Semitism.”Jews, too, have to move away from what (Anti-Defamation League interfaith director) Rabbi Leon Klenicki has called their `theology of protest,’ which remains closed within a continuous pointing out of the ill-treatment of Jews by Christians down through the centuries,”the cardinal said.”The collective Jewish consciousness must also be prepared to move toward a new relationship of mutual understanding and appreciation between Jews and Catholics. … We must, it seems to me, move on from the constant examination of difficulties in our bilateral relations to joint action in favor of the moral values which as faith communities we share.” Cassidy also criticized the continued refusal of much of the Orthodox Jewish establishment to join in Catholic-Jewish dialogue, even after three-decades of religious reconciliation during which the Vatican repudiated former anti-Semitic teachings and, in 1993, recognized the state of Israel.”Often the representatives on one side (Catholic) of the dialogue are hierarchs, clergy and theologians, while those on the other side (Jewish) are lay representatives of their community organizations,”Cassidy said.”I am well aware, of course, that there is within the Jewish community a deep reluctance to enter into what is called `theological dialogue.'”he added.”Still, I believe that we must open this question for reflection and study if we are to move ahead in a significant way.” The reluctance of many Orthodox Jews to engage in dialogue reflects an ignorance of the”revolution”that church theology has undergone regarding Jews, said Rabbi David Rosen, director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Israel branch.

But it’s also rooted in ancient Jewish views that at times regarded Christians as”idol worshipers,”Rosen added.”Still, anybody who holds such a position today doesn’t understand what contemporary Christianity is and how it has changed,”he said. Rosen said that even in ancient Jewish legal sources, the status of Christians was always a matter of dispute.

Modern Catholics should not be unduly disturbed by the fact that leaders of various Orthodox groups have so far been unwilling to join the circle of theological discussion, Rosen added. The rabbinical world, unlike the Roman Catholic Church, is an inherently decentralized structure, in which there is no single dominant hierarchy like the Vatican.”Dialogue must be based upon the contribution that the individual can bring, and not a particular title,”Rosen said.”There are plenty of good rabbis with whom to dialogue.” Rosen, himself an Orthodox former chief rabbi of Ireland, said that leading European rabbinical figures, including the chief rabbis of France, England and Denmark, have all participated in interfaith encounters.

There are also a number of leading American Orthodox rabbis who also have found it important to seek common ground with Christians”in the face of rampant materialism and secular values,”he said.

Israel’s chief rabbi, Israel Lau, has met with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican but has shied away from participating in interfaith conferences held on his home turf of Israel.

Rosen said he was optimistic that there would be more theological dialogue between Israeli-based Orthodox rabbis and the Catholic Church as time goes on.”Most Israelis don’t even know about the changes that have taken place in the Christian world”with regard to its theological understanding of Jews and Judaism, he said.”They (Israelis) are completely unaware of the theological revolution.”I’m very optimistic that as we become more acculturated, there will be more interest in dialogue, but it’s a question of a gradual process.” MJP END FLETCHER