Lorenz Cardinal Jaeger, Archbishop of Paderborn, predicted yesterday at the Protestant Congress here that the fourth session of the Ecumenical Council would give final approval to the draft declaration on Catholic-Jewish relations. The draft, which repudiates the ancient charge of deicide against the Jewish people past and present in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus, received overwhelming provisional approval at the third session.
Cardinal Jaeger declared, amid applause, that “the Church will speak the truth, in spite of the opposition in the Middle East and regardless of possible losses.” Foes of the present strong version of the draft include Catholic prelates in Moslem countries. Cardinal Jaeger was among the prelates who fought efforts to dilate the draft. He is now in charge of Catholic contacts with Protestants in West Germany.
The Catholic Church’s provisional Declaration on Relations with Non-Christians, which includes the clauses dealing with the Jewish people, is due to come before the next session of the Ecumenical Council, opening September 14, for final action.
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