The members of CREC discussed the committee’s goals: consolidating the remarkable advances in Jewish-Catholic relations since Vatican II; avoiding needless quarrels; reflecting together about the Holocaust, with the desire of mutual understanding in the face of an event that concerns all of humanity.
The participants recognised that these exchanges are now a part of the experience of the whole Jewish community, which considers it an important given; this marks a profound change with respect to past decades. From this point of view, CRIF spoke with Monsignor Vingt-Trois about plans for a conference prepared by CREC to be held in Israel at the beginning of 2009.
The delegation took the opportunity to meet with the president of the French Bishop’s Conference to talk about the malaise caused by the Pope’s statement Motu Proprio (concerning the liturgical Good Friday prayer) and the unfavourable reactions that it has caused among many Jewish constituencies. CRIF has closely studied the amendments to the text of the prayer and does not wish to fuel a quarrel that it feels has been exaggerated at least in part.
Richard Prasquier also informed Cardinal Lustiger’s successor that the planned beatification of Pope Pius XII, whose role during the World War 2 is the subject of much criticism by historians, could endanger the peaceful relations that have developed over the years between Catholics and Jews.
The meeting ended with a reminder that Benedict XVI is planning to come to France in September 2008. The President of CRIF had already been informed of this visit, during which the Pope intends to meet France’s Jewish community, despite a very heavy schedule.
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