Benedict XVI and The Jewish Community

Pope Benedict XVI spoke at a synagogue in Rome Sunday in an effort to ease tensions between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. The Jewish community has been critical of the Pope and the Church to varying degrees over the years. In particular, they feel that World War II Pontiff Pius XII did not do enough in saving Roman Jews and are uncomfortable with Benedict XVI speeding up the sainthood process for him. Further, they understandably do not like the current Pope having removed excommunication against a holocaust denier, and that Benedict has also revived a prayer calling for the conversion of the Jews.

These are difficult items to contend with. The dispute about what Pius XII did or did not do will likely never fully end; Catholics are content that he did much behind the scenes and others will not accept that explanation. Consequently, those people will never care for sainthood for the war Pope. It is at this point where our faith comes in: unless and until there is hard evidence that Pius XII did little, Catholics are in good conscience to hold that he did what he could.

As to removing excommunication, it should be noted that that is a measure only of how far the clerics in question accept the authority of Rome on religious matters. It does not deem their personal opinions valid. Still, it is understandable that the world community would be upset about the issue.

The real sticking point, however, may be in the prayers about conversion. Yet what can be said about such a thing which will not offend? Why would the Church not want prayers for conversion, not simply of the Jews but of any and all non Catholics? If you believe that you are a member of the one true Church, would you not want everyone to become part of it? Does not the Jewish faith, and Islam and Protestantism and any other creed which claims to hold a full knowledge of God and truth, want others to share in it and become full partners with them? Why hold the Catholic Church at arms length merely for wanting the same thing?

True brotherhood requires that all sides see all sticking points clearly and applies criticism fairly. For that goal, we should all pray.