Pope Paul Vi Foresees ‘happy Future’ in Catholic-jewish Relations

Pope Paul VI, receiving yesterday a delegation of leaders of the American Jewish Committee, expressed desire for “trusting relations” between Catholicism and Judaism and for “a happy future.” He deplored the “horrible ordeals of which the Jews have been victims in recent years.”

The American Jewish Committee group was led by Morris B. Abram, president of the organization. The audience which Pope Pius accorded to the Jewish group was reported in detail today in Osservatore Roman, the Vatican organ. The report said that following his official address, in English, the Pontiff held long and friendly conversations with the members of the delegation.

Mr. Abram, in greeting the Pontiff, emphasized that the American Jewish Committee is seeking “to safeguard the religious and cultural freedom of all people and the rights of all groups to develop the human values God has given them, free from coercion and discrimination.”

After expressing his “gratification” with this objective of the American Jewish Committee, Pope Paul said:

“We are glad of the opportunity you offer us of confirming what is already well known concerning the attitude of the Catholic Church, and in particular of the Holy See, toward the Jews. This name of Jew, in fact, raises several questions, which we consider with serene attention:

“1. The racial question. In this regard we repeat the heartfelt wish expressed, on numerous occasions, by our venerated predecessors; namely, that this should never be for you, or for any other ethnic group, a reason for undergoing any diminution in your human rights, which every civilization truly worthy of the name cannot avoid recognizing.

“2. The political question, which it is not our business to pronounce ourself upon, especially at this time, although we always desire and augur that it find just and peaceful solutions, both for the populations who have already sustained so many trials and suffering, and also by reason of the interests which the Catholic Church, and the other Christian churches, may have therein, and which must not be disregarded.

“3. The religious aspect, which interests us most deeply, and motivates our particular consideration for the Jewish religious tradition, with which Christianity is so intimately linked, and from which it derives hope for trusting relations and for a happy future.

“Hence, while we again strongly deplore the horrible ordeals of which the Jews have been the victims in recent years, we wish you every favor from God, whom we invoke with all our heart on your behalf, and that of all those who are near and dear to you.”

Speaking later to members of the Italian Association of War Prisoners, the Pontiff made implied reference to the play, “The Deputy,” in which the late Pope Pius XII is charged with failing to protest publicly against the Nazi annihilation of Jews. He said Pope Pius “firmly protested” against war illegalities and was “full of solicitude and worries” during the war years. “Only an eye veiled by incomprehension and malice could fail to recognize his tireless work.” he stated.