The “Voice” of Pope John Paul II by Sr. Margherita Marchione
The impact of John Paul II on Jews-Christians relations as seen by the famous historian and expert Sr. Margherita Marchione
(PRWEB) April 4, 2005 -- By Sr. Margherita Marchione - No Pope throughout
history did more than Pope John Paul II to create closer relations with the
Jewish community, to oppose anti-Semitism, and to make certain that the evils of
the Holocaust never occur again.
Pope John Paul II visited the Chief
Rabbi at the Synagogue in Rome in 1986 and declared that "the Jews are our
dearly beloved brothers," and indeed "our elder brothers in faith." He requested
forgiveness for past sins by Christians against Jews. He established full
diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel. Relations
between the Catholic Church and Jewish people are presently marked by mutual
respect and understanding.
“Peace” was the clear message John Paul II
gave on March 25, 2000, the last day of his stay in Jerusalem: “The honor given
to the ‘Just Gentiles’ by the state of Israel at Yad Vashem for having acted
heroically to save Jews, sometimes to the point of giving their own lives, is a
recognition that not even in the darkest hour is every light extinguished. That
is why the Psalms and the entire Bible, though well aware of the human capacity
for evil, also proclaims that evil will not have the last word.”
The
Pontiff assured the Jewish people that the Catholic Church was motivated by the
Gospel law of truth and love, and was deeply saddened by the displays of
anti-Semitism. The Catholic Church rejects racism in any form as a denial of the
image of the Creator inherent in every human being.
“Jews and Christians
share an immense spiritual patrimony, flowing from God’s self-revelation. Our
religious teachings and our spiritual experience demand that we overcome evil
with good. We remember, but not with any desire for vengeance or as an incentive
to hatred. For us, to remember is to pray for peace and justice, and to commit
ourselves to their cause. Only a world at peace, with justice for all, can avoid
repeating the mistakes and terrible crimes of the past.”
Like that of his
predecessors, throughout his pontificate, the voice of Pope John Paul II has
been heard again and again as he pleaded for courageous workers willing to serve
and suffer, in the footsteps of Christ, for peace. On Palm Sunday, March 28,
1999, he declared to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square: “The Pope stands with the
people who suffer, and cries out to all: it is always time for peace! It is
never too late to meet and negotiate!” In his Easter message, he pleaded: “Peace
is possible, peace is a duty, peace is a prime responsibility of everyone!” On
May 3, he stated: “I raise my voice again, in the name of God, that this attack
of man against man come to an end, that the instruments of destruction and death
be stopped, that all channels of aid be activated to help those who are forced
to flee their land amid unspeakable atrocities…”
When Pope John Paul II
visited the United States in January, 1999, he stated: “If you want Peace, work
for Justice. If you want Justice, defend Life. If you want Life, embrace the
Truth—the Truth revealed by God.” No Pope throughout history did more than Pope
John Paul II to create closer relations with the Jewish community, to oppose
anti-Semitism, and to make certain that the evils of the Holocaust never occur
again.
A survivor of both Nazi and Communist oppression himself, John
Paul II has consistently praised Pope Pius XII for his heroic leadership during
World War II. In fact, he defended Pius XII during a meeting with Jewish leaders
in 1987, recalling “how deeply he felt about the tragedy of the Jewish people,
and how hard and effectively he worked to assist them during the Second World
War,” and led the cause for his canonization.
Catholic apologetics must
address the subject of Pope Pius XII and the Jewish Holocaust. To promote the
Truth, Jews and Catholics should join forces. Relations between the Catholic
Church and Jewish people are presently marked by mutual respect and
understanding.
An historian of the highest caliber, Sister Marchione is a
member of the Religious Teachers Filippini and holds a Ph.D from Columbia
University, was a Fulbright scholar, and author of more than 50 books.
Press contact:
Daniela Puglielli
908 212 7846
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb224875.htm