Twenty-six Catholic and Jewish theologians open a four-day closed-door colloquy Monday at St. Vincent Archabbey here, to discuss long-standing differences between the two faiths. Papers will be read on differences in church-state relations, which place Catholic and Jew at odds on prayer in the schools and federal aid to church-related schools.
Papers will also be read on the Biblical and liturgical heritage of the two faiths, and on their aims in race relations and social action. The colloquy is being sponsored Jointly by the American Benedictine Academy and the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Rabbi Arthur Gilbert, staff consultant to NCCJ, declared that “this is the first time in history that Jewish and Catholic scholars will meet each other for the sake of study and discussion in an atmosphere of equality and mutual respect without intent to evangelize. There is no doubt in my mind that this historic meeting will provide such understanding as to dispel stereotype and will lay the ground work for a more rational confrontation of differences between Jews and Catholics.”
Representative Jews on the discussion are Rabbi Robert Gordis, professor of Bible at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City; Dr. Joseph Lichten, director of the Department of Inter-Cultural Affairs for the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith; and Rabbi Mare Tanenbaum, director of the Department of Inter-Religious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee. Two Catholic bishops will take part in the colloquy.
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