20 Years Since Nostra Aetate: Study Shows There is Greater Appreciation of Jews and Judaism in Catho

Faculty and students at Roman Catholic educational institutions have developed “a deep appreciation of Jews and Judaism” in the 20 years since the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra Aetate declaration, according to a study published here.

Entitled “Jews, Judaism and Catholic Education,” it is based on a survey of several hundred Catholic educational institutions in the United States conducted by Sister Rose Thering of the Department of Education at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. It was published by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, the American Jewish Committee, and Seton Hall.

Sister Thering also found broad awareness of the “‘teaching of contempt’ that was partially responsible for the Holocaust.” She attributed this awareness to the fact that Catholic educational institutions are teaching about Jews and Judaism in a positive way, reflecting recognition that Christianity is rooted in Judaism.

The survey further disclosed that Holocaust studies have become required in most high schools, some elementary schools and almost all Catholic colleges and universities and that many Catholic institutions observe Yom Hashoah–Holocaust Remembrance Day–with special services to recall the genocide committed against the Jews during World War II.

‘PROMISING AND ENCOURAGING’ FINDINGS

In a preface to the study, Rabbi Leon Klenicki, director of ADL’s Interfaith Affairs Department, and Rabbi A. James Rudin, AJC’s National Interreligious Affairs director, called the findings “both promising and encouraging.”

They added, however, that while “Jews and Judaism are no longer esoteric studies in Catholic schools, and there is growing interest in Judaism on the part of both students and faculty, much still remains to be done. Crucial issues remain.”

Noting that “these issues are being faced and addressed by a growing number of Catholic educators and institutions,” they commended Thering “and others who have committed themselves to building a new and constructive relationship between Catholics and Jew–a relationship of mutual respect and understanding.”

The survey expands on Thering’s 1970 study which sought to determine how Catholic institutions had implemented the Vatican Council II Statement on the Jews and Judaism made five years earlier.

The current study surveys implementation of not only the 1965 Statement but also includes the 1974 Roman Catholic Guidelines and Suggestions for implementation of the Vatican II document and the 1975 National Catholic Conference of Bishops’ statement on Catholic-Jewish relations.

Among the findings of the new study, based on answers by respondents, were:

51% of the Catholic colleges and universities offer courses in Judaism, either separate or part of other comparative religion courses.

27% offer a special course on the Holocaust;

6% offer a separate course on the State of Israel, 38% offer courses on the Middle East;

10% of the seminaries have a special course on the Holocaust with others covering it as part of other courses;

33% of the seminaries have courses in Judaism;

25% of the seminaries offer a course in Jewish history after the emergence of Christianity;

53% of the Archdiocesan/Diocesan ecumenical commissions said they direct attention to Catholic-Jewish concerns;

62% of the high schools have courses on the Holocaust and its lessons;

30% of high schools have a course on the State of Israel and its meaning.

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT FOUND

Sister Thering said the survey found significant improvement within Roman Catholic educational institutions but also indicated a need for improvement in such areas as presentation of the Pharisaic movement, an aspect of the Judaism of Jesus’ time, which the 1975 Vatican Guidelines specifically cited as requiring correction in Christian teaching and preaching.

“Popular preaching and teaching including Passion Plays have often used Catholic devotion to Christ crucified as an occasion for anti-Jewish statements,” Thering said, despite “the Conciliar Statement on the Jews that this is clearly not in harmony with either the truth or the spirit of the Gospel.”

Thering also recommended that in accordance with the 1974 Guidelines and Suggestions for carrying out the Vatican II Council statement, Christians “must come to an understanding of Torah, People, and Land, three very important components of Judaism.” (“Land” refers to the Land of Israel.)

Of the 209 questionnaires sent to Catholic colleges and universities, 128 or 61.2 percent responded. Of the 123 questionnaires sent to seminaries, there were 40 responses or 32.5 percent. Of 300 high schools which received the instrument, 114 or 38 percent responded.

Of 180 questionnaires sent to offices of superintendents, 43 or 23.9 percent responded. Of 213 questionnaires sent to Archdiocesan/Diocesan ecumenical commissions, 75 responded or 35.2 percent.

“Jews, Judaism and Catholic Education” is available from the publications departments of both the Anti-Defamation League, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, and the American Jewish Committee, 165 E. 56th Street, New York, NY 10022, at $5 per copy.