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Archbishop of Chicago Backs Stand on Jews at Ecumenical Council

November 21, 1963
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The proposal of the Vatican Secretariat for Christian Unity for adoption by the Ecumenical Council of a statement rejecting Jewish blame for the crucifixion of Christ was approved today by a number of Council Fathers during debate on the proposed statement on ecumenism.

Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago, expressed “great satisfaction” with the entire document, including Chapter Four on the Jews and Five on freedom of religion. He said the two chapters should remain in the overall ecumenism statement because they were “intimately connected” with ecumenism.

Bishop Angelo Jelmini, the apostolic administrator of Lugano, speaking on behalf of all Swiss Bishops, offered a similar endorsement adding that the proposed Schema should include also Moslems and “all who believe in God and are opposed to materialistic atheism.”

Msgr. Mendez of Mexico said he approved the inclusion of the reference to Jews as connected with the Catholic Church by the Old Testament. He added he felt that all other religions should be treated separately and that a separate chapter should be dedicated to Islam.

Bishop Morcillo of Spain argued that the chapter on the Jews and that on freedom of conscience should be approved but as part of the 17th Schema on the Church in the World–a proposal endorsed by Bishop Antonio and Cardinal Bacci of the Vatican Curia.

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