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Jewish leaders OK Catholic conversion statement
Oct. 28, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionJewish leaders are welcoming a revised statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that rejects suggestions that interfaith dialogue could lead to the conversion and baptism of Jews.
American Jewish organizations had raised concerns that a document released by the bishops in June reversed earlier statements and indicated that dialogue between Catholics and Jews could be used as an opportunity to proselytize.
“Here is this instance where the document was released without consultation with the Jewish partners in June,” said Rabbi Eric J. Greenberg, director of interfaith policy at the Anti-Defamation League. “That raises concerns about our level of communication, which needs to be addressed.”
Earlier this month (Oct. 2), the bishops issued a new statement affirming that Jewish-Catholic dialogue “has never been and will never be used by the Catholic Church as a means of proselytism.”
Greenberg called the clarification a historical moment for the bishops. But the Jewish leaders remain concerned about a rollback in Jewish-Catholic relations since the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
“The need for consultation and continuing dialogue is crucial,” Greenberg said.
This much I can agree with.
This much I can agree with. If you agree to enter into dialogue with another group the focus should be on the dialogue itself, not on extraneous matters.
What do you mean by
What do you mean by 'extraneous matters'? If you mean proselytization, then we are in agreement. But then, I don't believe in proselytizing, which I define as deliberately 'trageting' someone for conversion. But I do believe in evangelization, which I define is bearing witness, in word and deed, to the truth of the Gospel. And everything a Catholic does--including interreligious dialogue--must serve this end.
I seriously doubt any major
I seriously doubt any major religions lets itself be bullied around by Jewish organizations as much as Roman Catholics and other Christian main denominations. The Chutzpah! They get away with it using the guilt card. To them Jesus is not the Messiah: they are still waiting for him. In fact, Christ is viewed as an idolatrer, blasphemer and delusional paranoiac. The Roman Catholic Church is skirting around the doctrine of supersessionism. Let us get some backbone and call their bluff:)
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