The authors throw away line linking opposition to Vatican II with support for anti-Semitism is disingenuous at best. "For many, that means returning to a time before the Second Vatican Council, which, among many changes, expressly disavowed any theological basis for antisemitism."
The proceedings of Vatican II lasted for two months, hundr…
The authors throw away line linking opposition to Vatican II with support for anti-Semitism is disingenuous at best. "For many, that means returning to a time before the Second Vatican Council, which, among many changes, expressly disavowed any theological basis for antisemitism."
The proceedings of Vatican II lasted for two months, hundreds of scholars and church leaders were involved. 16 Decrees containing hundreds of paragraphs were promulgated by Vatican II, one of which (Declaration 7) addressed the issue of anti-Semitism in four places, the same Decree also mentions Hindus, Moslems and Buddhists where we (Catholics) are told that these other faiths teach "a way by which men, in a devout and confident spirit, may be able either to acquire the state of perfect liberation, or attain, by their own efforts or through higher help, supreme illumination. Likewise, other religions found everywhere try to counter the restlessness of the human heart, each in its own manner, by proposing "ways," comprising teachings, rules of life, and sacred rites. The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself.(4)
The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men.as faiths" .
I am not interested in downplaying the importance of the public declaration by the church that anti-Semitism is wrong but the author leaves the impression (purposefully in my opinion) that opposition to the wide ranging changes to the church ushered in by Vatican II is a mark of anti-Semitism. Like the culture wars today in which opposition to transgender surgery for minors turns one into a homophobe, opposition to the many interpretations of the decrees that many Catholics feel went beyond their original intent is used as a cudgel to silence opponents of some of the more radical reforms in doctrine and practice of the church.
The authors throw away line linking opposition to Vatican II with support for anti-Semitism is disingenuous at best. "For many, that means returning to a time before the Second Vatican Council, which, among many changes, expressly disavowed any theological basis for antisemitism."
The proceedings of Vatican II lasted for two months, hundreds of scholars and church leaders were involved. 16 Decrees containing hundreds of paragraphs were promulgated by Vatican II, one of which (Declaration 7) addressed the issue of anti-Semitism in four places, the same Decree also mentions Hindus, Moslems and Buddhists where we (Catholics) are told that these other faiths teach "a way by which men, in a devout and confident spirit, may be able either to acquire the state of perfect liberation, or attain, by their own efforts or through higher help, supreme illumination. Likewise, other religions found everywhere try to counter the restlessness of the human heart, each in its own manner, by proposing "ways," comprising teachings, rules of life, and sacred rites. The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself.(4)
The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men.as faiths" .
I am not interested in downplaying the importance of the public declaration by the church that anti-Semitism is wrong but the author leaves the impression (purposefully in my opinion) that opposition to the wide ranging changes to the church ushered in by Vatican II is a mark of anti-Semitism. Like the culture wars today in which opposition to transgender surgery for minors turns one into a homophobe, opposition to the many interpretations of the decrees that many Catholics feel went beyond their original intent is used as a cudgel to silence opponents of some of the more radical reforms in doctrine and practice of the church.
Strong post.
Terrific commentary. Thank you for taking the time to write this.