Pope Paul Expresses Hope for Advancement of Catholic-jewish Relations

Pope Paul VI today expressed deep respect of the Jewish religion and said that he is pleased with the growing cordial relationship and constructive cooperation between Catholics and Jews. “I hope that these relations will continue and advance, both in spiritual and temporal matters, ” he stated.

The Pontiff made his statement to a delegation of the B’nai B’rith headed by Label Katz, its international president. The delegation included Maurice Bisgyer, executive vice-president of B’nai B’rith, and Saul Joftes, secretary-general of the B’nai B’rit International Council.

During the audience, which lasted 20 minutes, Mr. Katz informed Pope Paul that Catholic-Jewish relationships had been strengthened during the tenure of his predecessor, Pope John XXIII. He voiced the hope that such cooperation “continue to prosper.” He emphasized that the Jewish community is taking “profound interest” in the Ecumenical Council’s proposed schema dealing with anti-Semitism, religious freedom and Catholic-Jewish relations.

Noting that the Council’s draft chapter on religious freedom and Catholic -Jewish relations is conceded by the Jewish people to be “singularly a matter of religious thought, ” Mr. Katz said that the Jews, “addressing themselves principally to the spirit of the Declaration, ” find it is “cogently responsive to the God-given dignity of every man and his freedom of thought, conscience and religion as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the concept of the brotherhood and equality of man before God. “

“Validation of the ideals inherent in these declarations, through authoritative action by the Church,” continued Mr. Katz, “will strengthen them and their high moral purpose in our time and, even more, impart their lasting and constructive impact for a continuing and maturing harmony and mutual understanding among men of succeeding generations. “