Pope reaffirms Church’s warm feelings towards Israel

DAVID SAKS

To mark the occasion, a delegation of Jewish leaders headed by World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, had an audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square. The delegation comprised close to 150 delegates, most of who had participated in the previous day’s meeting of the WJC Governing Board.

They included SAJBD National Chairman Mary Kluk and Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft and Ann Harris, respectively CEO and spiritual leader and acting president of the African Jewish Congress. 

In terms of Nostra Aetate, the Church acknowledged the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and distanced itself from the anti-Semitic teachings, including the notorious deicide charge holding Jews to be collectively and eternally guilty of the death of Jesus that had permeated its attitude towards the Jewish people virtually throughout its history.

The declaration also introduced a more accepting approach towards other faiths, particularly towards Islam in light of the many points of commonality between its core beliefs and those of Christianity.

Rabbi Silberhaft, who was the only Orthodox rabbi present, said he had been struck by the sensitivity displayed by the Pope in not mentioning the name of Jesus in his address and in not making the traditional sign of the cross when blessing the group afterwards.

It had also been “a powerful moment” when the Pope had greeted him personally, taking both of his hands in his. He had taken the opportunity to tell the Pope that he looked forward to being part of his forthcoming peace mission to Kenya (one of African Jewish Congress’ constituent countries).

Rabbi Silberhaft commented on how disturbing it had been for him to learn how much the global media onslaught on Israel was aimed at driving a wedge between it and the wider Jewish world and how much, as even certain aspects of the WJC meeting had shown, this was starting to succeed. In light of this, it was reassuring to hear the Pope’s forthright declaration that denying Israel its right to exist in peace and prosperity was also a form of anti-Semitism.

Ann Harris commented that Pope Francis’ informal designation as the “People’s Pope” was very apt. She had been struck by how unaffectedly warm he was towards other people, no matter who they were, and the evident pleasure he took in engaging with them.

In this respect, she reminded him very much of Nelson Mandela, who likewise went out of his way to greet and speak to everybody he came into contact with, regardless of rank or status. 

In a media statement released after the meeting, Lauder described the relationship between the Catholic and Jewish faiths as being stronger than ever, and praised the Pope for the pivotal role he was playing in this regard. 

“Pope Francis does not simply make declarations; he inspires people with his warmth and his compassion. His clear and unequivocal support for the Jewish people is critical to us,” he said.