Interfaith Parley in London Calls for Better Relations with Jews

A christian-Jewish “consultation” held by 70 Protestants, Catholics and Jews at Newnham College of Cambridge University called upon both Catholics and Protestants today to follow through on the decisions to improve Christian-Jewish relations.

The participants in the week-long parley called attention of the Catholic Church to its Vatican Council declaration condemning hatred and persecution of Jews and anti-Semitism in general. A resolution adopted by the participants requested the Catholic Church to issue “clear and unambiguous expressions of regret regarding those events in the history of Christian-Jewish relationships which are contrary to the spirit of the document. “

As for the Protestants, the session noted that the World Council of Churches had shown a desire at its New Delhi assembly to improve relations with Jews. The consultation then called on Protestants for “formulation and clarification of theological understanding of Christian-Jewish relationships.”

The conference also recommended that all Christian education treat Christian-Jewish relations in the context of other group relations; that use of authentic Jewish sources be encouraged in Christian education; and that more money and personnel be allocated to intensify Christian-Jewish dialogues.

The conference also voiced concern over the resurgence of neo-Nazism and bigotry in some areas, pointing out that the defeat of Nazism had not ended racial and religious discrimination. The parley noted that, while legislation against discrimination and incitement to hatred could help improve relations, “no law could substitute for the initiative of citizens to resist vigorously against all attempts to undermine the democratic structure of society.”