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World: Vatican to survey Roman Catholics over anti-Semitism
Sun. April 29, 2007 10:29 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) In an effort to find out if the Roman Catholic bishops think biblical texts are still used to foster anti-Semitism, the Vatican plans to carry out a world survey.
Reports indicate that the survey questions, published on Friday by the Vatican to prepare for a major meeting next year, also ask bishops if they are making dialogue with Jews a priority in their work.
The questionnaire says too few Catholics know enough about the Old Testament, the Scriptures that outline Jewish history before the coming of Jesus Christ.
“Are biblical texts used to ferment attitudes of anti-Semitism?” asks the questionnaire.
“Is priority given to dialogue with Jewish people?” it further poses. A worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops will be held in Rome in October 2008.
Meanwhile, Catholic-Jewish relations have improved immensely since 1965, when the Second Vatican Council repudiated the concept of collective Jewish guilt for Christ’s death. It called for dialogue with Jews and highlighted the Jewish roots of Christianity.
They reached new heights in 1985 when the late Pope John Paul II visited Rome’s synagogue and called Jews “our beloved elder brothers”. He later visited Jerusalem and asked for forgiveness for Catholic offences against Jews.
Recently, Catholic and Jewish experts have expressed concern that relations could suffer if Vatican plans to revive the old Latin liturgy include long-forgotten prayers for converting the Jews or roll back respect for their heritage.
Pope Benedict will announce a revival of the Latin mass, a concession to traditionalists who have long criticised the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) reforms that promoted mass in local languages and understanding with non-Catholics.
While the Vatican has given no hint of whether the disputed prayers used in Good Friday services will be restored, the questionnaire takes a positive approach to Judaism.
“Special attention is given to the Jewish people. Christ and the Jews are sons of Abraham, grounded in the same covenant,” it says.
The text says Catholics should know more about “the original character of the Jewish understanding of the Bible”.
At the same time, it warns against literal readings of the Bible that lean towards fundamentalism and cause “useless controversy”.
Pope Benedict has recently argued against the creationist reading of the Bible popular among evangelical Protestants and said evolution can be accepted within a broader Christian view that acknowledges God as the ultimate maker of the universe. –Nation
News Category: World
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