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Fifth Anniversary
C. A. Rijk

Five years have now elapsed since the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Church's relationship with the non-Christian religions. It is of interest to note how Chapter 4 of this document, which treats of relations with Judaism, has been implemented over these five years. The reports which follow describe several anniversary meetings and survey publications.

Seton Hall Convocation

"It seems, that when we take this relationship between the Church and Judaism seriously, when we try to approach one another on a realistic and deep level, we are confronted with a number of fundamental questions of religious, social, and even political nature." (Message from Cardinal Willebrands to the Seton Hall Convocation.)

Distinguished Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic theologians and scholars gathered in South Orange, N.J. to discuss just these questions. A Convocation on the theme "Toward a Theology of Israel", was held from October 25 to 28 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Conciliar Statement on the Jews. The Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies and the American Jewish Committee were co-sponsors.

Monsignor J. Oesterreicher, in reviewing the Vatican Statement, reiterated its purposes and its historical background and concluded with a plea "that we learn to appreciate and respect each other's thought and work; that we learn to think as well as speak of each other's tradition with sensitivity". Thus, he set the tone for the remainder of the Convocation. Professor J. Pelikanfilled in the background from the theological point of view.

Complementary talks were given by Dr. C. Rijk, who spoke of the theology of Judaism from the Christian perspective and Professor U. Tal, who spoke of the theology of Christianity from the Jewish perspective. A similar approach was taken with regard to the theological signigicance of the State of Israel. Professor I. Greenberg of the Yeshiva University took the Jewish viewpoint and Dr. C. Klein of Frankfurt University, the Christian.

Rabbi M. Tanenbaum presented a survey and evaluation of Christian—Jewish relationships since Vatican II including a very interesting survey of Catholic institutions which had been administered by Sr. Rose Thering.

At the closing banquet, Monsignor Oesterreicher expressed the gratitude of the group for the stimulating exchange. Most Rev. F. J. Mugavero, the President of the Secretariat for Christian—Jewish Relations, also addressed the group, encouraging the spreading of their spirit of unity all over the world.

This 1970 Convocation was one of many signs pointing to the seriousness with which the United States has been considering and applying reflected an uplifting development in theological thinking since 1965. It is essential that it continue with even greater vitality for:

"When we Christians and Jews try to understand one another better, we touch something of the Lord's presence in human history... we are linked together by the same Lord, who has chosen us in order to manifest his mysterious plan of salvation for all mankind." (Message of Cardinal Willebrands.)

England Conference

In London, England, a conference was held to mark the fifth anniversary. Rev. H.J. Richards opened the November 1 gathering at Our Lady of Sion, 36 Chepstow Villas, W. 11. Fr. L. Frizzell began the discussion by directing several questions on the concepts of God, Israel and the Torah to Rabbi L. Jacobs. In his reply Rabbi Jacobs said that the differences among Jews today largely centred around the meaning of Torah in the twentieth century; it might also be said that the Orthodox Jew stresses the concept of Torah, the Classical Reform Jew that of God and the Conservative Jew of Israel and community.

In the afternoon, Mr. Aronsfeld described the attitudes in dialogue of Jews and Christians. To facilitate communication he felt that there was still much information required on both sides. The participants, primarily educators, discussed the presentations avidly.

Belinter, Ireland, also held an anniversary celebration. A large group gathered on October 25 to hear Sr. Mary Kelly present the Christian viewpoint on the Declaration and Professor Weingreen, the Jewish viewpoint. The discussion following the talks centred around the need to be exposed to the self-understanding of the Jewish people and possible concrete action in the important area of education.

Survey Publications

A Commission to implement in England the 1965 Declaration was constituted by His Eminence Cardinal Heenan. This Commission has published a booklet, The Vatican Declaration on the Jews... 5 Years Later, in which a report was made on what has been accomplished during this time. Areas covered include: making the declaration known, catechetics, passion plays, liturgy, conferences, publications and dialogue. It has been widely distributed, especially in the various educational fields.

A committee made up of members representing both the American Jewish Committee and the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies of Seton Hall University, prepared and analyzed a questionnaire given to a sampling of Catholic Institutions in the United States. Sister Rose Thering administered the questionnaire and published a Survey Report of Catholic Institutions' Implementation of Vatican II Statement on the Jews. The purpose of the survey was to determine the effect of the Declaration on the curricula, teaching methods and materials, and faculty. It was indicated that a large percentage of institutions are now offering courses in Judaism under Comparative Religion and in the relationship between Jews and Christians, As yet, little is being given in the history of the Nazi Holocaust and the State of Israel. It could be concluded that many efforts are being made to form youth according to the 1965 Declaration.