Pope John XXIII ordered this week-end the specific omission of passages offensive to Jews and Moslems from the prayer of consecration of mankind to Christ, the King. The prayer is recited annually in Roman Catholic churches on the Feast of Christ the King, which is observed on the last Sunday in October.
The new version of the prayer, published in the “Acta Apolosticae,” official organ of the Vatican, omits the following passage from the old prayer:
“Be the King of all those who are still shrouded by the darkness of idolatry or Islam, and do not refuse to lift them all to the light and to Your kingdom. Look, finally, with merciful eyes on the children of the people which was once the chosen people, may the blood already invoked on them descend on them too, as a cleansing bath of redemption and life.”
The prayer still contains the passage; “Be the King of those who live in the deception of error and are separated from You as a result of discord.”
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