The American Jewish Committee highly commended today the statement by Augustin Cardinal Bea on the forthcoming Ecumenical Council’s discussion of measures to remove from the Catholic liturgy references to Jews that tend to stigmatize them.
The American Jewish Committee termed the Cardinal’s statement, that the Catholic Church recognizes that much of the persecution of the Jews through the centuries has been due to their having been blamed for the crucifixion of Jesus, as “a highly significant advance, a major step forward in the betterment of relations between Catholics and Jews.”
Louis Caplan, of Pittsburgh, A.J. Committee president, declared: “The exploration of the relationship of religious teachings to the persecution of Jews suggested by Cardinal Bea for the forthcoming Ecumenical Council in October 1962 represents a profoundly courageous move which is bound to help reduce the barriers of bias that have led to misunderstanding and conflicts between Jews and Christians.”
Mr. Caplan paid specific tribute to Pope John XXIII “for having ushered in a new spirit of understanding and rapprochement which have provided a basis for overcoming ancient antagonisms.” He added that “His Eminence, Cardinal Bea, has also worked actively to create a new atmosphere of friendship and improved relationships between Christians and Jews.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
