Pope Paul Disapproves of Blaming Jews for Crucifixion of Jesus

Pope Paul VI, during the audience he gave last Saturday to a group of leaders of the American Jewish Committee, indicated that he does not believe that Jews should be held responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus by declaring that he fully associates himself with the views expressed by Francis Cardinal Spellman in the latter’s address delivered at the American Jewish Committee’s annual dinner in New York on April 30.

The Pontiff told the American Jewish Committee delegation that Cardinal Spellman had “spoken my sentiments,” it was revealed here today by Morris B. Abram, president of the Committee who headed the delegation, which returned today from Rome to New York. Addressing a press conference, Mr. Abrams said that Pope Paul informed the delegation that Cardinal Spellman’s talk at the American Jewish Committee’s dinner had been forwarded to him and that he read it with much satisfaction.

Cardinal Spellman in his address dealt with anti-Semitism and condemned the spreading of bigotry. With regard to the crucifixion issue, he stated: “Responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus belongs only to those individuals who were present at the time and cooperated with His death. It is simply absurd to maintain that there is some kind of continuing guilt which is transferred to any group and which rests upon them as a curse for which they must suffer.” He added that “anti-Semitism can never find a basis in the Catholic religion.”

Pope Paul, in declaring to the American Jewish Committee delegation that these are also his own sentiments, made it clear that he backs the statement on Catholic-Jewish relations which is now being prepared for submission to the forthcoming session of the Ecumenical Council in September.

The delegation received by the Pope included, in addition to Mr. Abram, who is a U.S. member of the United Nations Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities; Ralph Friedman of New York, chairman of the American Jewish Committee executive board; Philip E. Hoffman of Newark, N.J., chairman of its board of governors. Dr. John Slawson of New York, executive vice-president, and Mrs. Leonard M. Sperry of Los Angeles, a member of the executive board.

ACTION CENTER TO COMBAT RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE TO OPEN IN ROME

At today’s conference, Mr. Abram also revealed plans for the creation in Rome of a research and action center to analyze and combat prejudice, especially as it arises in the teachings of different faiths. Mr. Abram said that the Pope, when informed of these plans, indicated his approval and gave his blessing to Mrs. Sperry, widow of the American Jewish Committee leader, in whose memory the center is being established.

To be known as the Leonard M. Sperry Center for Intergroup Cooperation, the new institute will promote examination of religious texts and teaching materials in different parts of the world in order to determine in what light they portray various religious groups and ethnic minorities, including Jews. Initial financing of the Center program has been assured by Mrs. Sperry and the family and friends of the late Mr. Sperry.

Detailing the aims of the Sperry Center, Mr. Abram told the press conference that in addition to examination of texts and teaching, the Center will conduct a long-range program of sociological and psychological research aimed at counteracting prejudices found in religious texts and teaching materials. In the United States alone, the American Jewish Committee has stimulated and encouraged a series of self studies of religious teaching materials, including: a study of Protestant teachings at Yale Divinity School, a survey of Catholic textbooks at St. Louis University, a Jesuit institution, and an examination of Jewish teachings at Dropsie College of Hebrew and Cognate Learning.

The Sperry Center will be established in the International University of Social Studies, Pro Deo, in Rome. Mr. Abram expressed the American Jewish Committee’s view that Rome, the scene of Pope John XXIII’s challenge to men to establish a new order in human relations, is an appropriate location for a Center devoted to such purposes. Pope John enunciated this call at the opening session of the Ecumenical Council in 1961.

As a result of the audience with Pope Paul, Mr. Abram said, the American Jewish Committee feels greatly encouraged about the prospects of the forthcoming session of the Ecumenical Council adopting the decrees concerning religious liberty and Catholic attitudes toward Jews and other non-Christian groups. “Pope Paul told us that he wished for peace among all religions, that he hoped the Council would help bring peace and friendship between the Church and the Jews, and that it would repeat the sentiments expressed in the statement he read to cur delegation,” Mr. Abram said.