Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the Rabbinical Council of America, which represents 900 Orthodox rabbis in the United States, said today he finds it “difficult” to understand the Passion Sunday Lenten sermon preached in Rome Sunday by Pope Paul VI. “It is difficult,” Rabbi Miller declared, “to understand how these words can be reconciled with the letter and spirit of the draft document passed overwhelmingly at the recent session of the Ecumenical Council–a statement which has been broadly promoted and publicized.”
“The Pope’s statement, however,” continued Rabbi Miller, confirms the position adopted by the Rabbinical Council of America, that, while we welcome a better understanding and mutual respect among the world’s major faiths, such understanding must be based upon the premise that each is a unique religious community with a unique commitment. We have distinctive beliefs, distinctive histories, distinctive views of the world of the spirit and distinctive hopes for the future, which presuppose spiritual independence. We deem it most improper to advise the leaders of another faith concerning their theological views. We are equally determined to remain loyal and committed to the faith of Israel.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
