References for Oliver

Submitted by Bryan Poulin (Canada), Apr 1, 2008 at 22:15

Dear Oliver,

Thanks for your comment and question. Here are 3 references in support of my comment about the courageous position of Pope John Paul II, toward the Jewish people in general ('elder brothers' statement) and his effort to (re)interpret, in a more just way, certain hate-inspiring text (erroneous deicide charge) in the Christian 'New Testament'.

Pope John Paul II, "In his own words" (visit to Israel and Jewish synagogue Dec. 31, 1986), where he referred to Jews as 'Elder Brothers,' as reported by ADL and to be found at website: http://www.adl.org/pope/Pope_judaism7.asp

Pope John Paul II, "Address to His Holiness Pope John Paul II (Symposium on the Roots of Anti-Judaism, 31 October 1997) where, in part, the Pope stated, "In fact, in the Christian world - I do not say on the part of the Church as such - erroneous and unjust interpretations of the New (Christian) Testament regarding the Jewish people and their alleged culpability have circulated far too long, engendering feelings of hostility towards this people." This can be found under Vatican speeches and website: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speaches/1997/october/documents/hf_-ii...

Leyden, Joel, "Israel Mourns Death of Pope John Paul II", as reported by Israel News Service, 3 April 2005, where in part Leyden reported that "John Paul II was the first Pope in history to visit a synagogue (Rome, 1986) where he referred to the Jewish people, for the first time, as 'our elder brothers' .... The Pope asked the Jewish people for forgiveness for the crimes that have been perpetrated against it in the name of the Church." This can be found at website: http://www.israelnewsagency.com/popeisraeldeath4290403.html

Hope this helps. Regards, Bryan

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