U.S. bishops clarify Catholic approach to Jewish faith
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San Antonio, Texas, Jun 21, 2009 / 06:03 pm (CNA).- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement on Thursday to clarify the Church's stance on how it relates to the Jewish community.

The statement was jointly issued at the spring meeting of the USCCB by the Committee on Doctrine and Pastoral Practice and the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

Archbishop Wilton Gregory, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs spoke of the pastoral concern at hand. “The 2002 document, Covenant and Mission, raised many questions among Catholics in the United States about how the Church relates to the Jewish community. Today’s statement helps to answer these questions clearly,” he said.

“The USCCB reaffirms what the Holy See has stated repeatedly: that while the Catholic Church does not proselytize the Jewish people, neither does she fail to witness to them her faith in Christ, nor to welcome them to share in that same faith whenever appropriate,” said Bishop Lori, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine and Pastoral Practice.

Bishop Lori went on to state the importance of current debates over Catholic understanding of the covenant with Moses in relation to Jesus. 

 “As followers of Jesus, we see his covenant as fulfilling God’s plan for the salvation of all peoples, both now and at the end of time,” he said.  Jews today still adhere to the covenant with Moses, which Christians believe to be fulfilled in Christ.

Archbishop Gregory called to mind Pope John Paul II’s reference to Jews as “our elder brothers and sisters in faith.”  Applauding the efforts at furthering dialogue between Catholics and Jews, he added, “By continuing our study together, we hope to deepen our understanding of Jesus and our relationship with each other in God’s redemption of the world.”

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Luke
OC, CA 01/28/2010 02:17 PM EST
Alvarez-Perez: Socrates says know your role and keep quiet. Have you been called to dedicate your life to serve, teach, preach, and consecrate God's people in Holy Mother Church. Your thoughts indicate that you are a student, so refrain from speaking what you understand not. Listen and learn from the leaders and teachers of the Church. Do not speak lest you expose your ignorance. Just follow the Church who is our Mother and Teacher. The Church is the Foundation of Truth and the Voice of Christ. Love God and love neighbor fulfills all laws. Muslims, Jews, and Catholics are from the same family tree. Our Father in Faith is Father Abraham. Keep the Faith and continue to feast on the Body and Blood of Christ and God's Words from His love letters to His children in the Bible. God bless us all. 
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Published by: Roberto Alvarez-Perez
USA 06/23/2009 12:21 PM EST
No matter how much we try to mask it, Christians and Jews have irreconcilable differences.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the center of our faith. To Him we owe all praise and honor.
Jesus Christ is not a blasphemous criminal or an impostor (as the Jews call him) but God Himself, the second person of the Most Holy Trinity, the God Man. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. "Nobody goes to the Father except through Him."
What is there to study? How can the Jews be called "our elder brothers and sister in faith" when they reject whom Christians believe in? We do not call the Muslims our brothers and sisters in faith, yet they respect and venerate Jesus and Mary.
Jews and Christians can coexist peacefully on the basis of mutual respect; however, neither of them should interfere with or try to influence each other's religions. Catholics should limit ourselves to pray for the conversion of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as we do every year on Good Friday.
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Published by: Maria Trujillo
Plantation/FL/USA 06/21/2009 10:24 PM EST
Jesus told his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Please don't parse "am".
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