Cardinal Koch made much the same point at the press conference.
“The next step has to be a deepening of our theology,” Koch said. “We need a Christian theology of Judaism and a Jewish theology of Christianity.”
“I’m convinced Pope Francis wants to go in that direction,” Koch said.
At least vis-à-vis Judaism…
Editor’s note: OK, let’s give this a try:
Catholics first –
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Now, the Jews –
(There is no authoritative Jewish “Creed”)
Some of us believe in one G-d,
who is reputed to be the maker of heaven and earth.
But even if that’s true, we’re certain
he has nothing at all to do
with that great blasphemer, Jesus of Nazareth,
who was never mentioned in the scriptures
and who was rightly put to death for his crimes.
Nor has G-d anything to do with the mother of Jesus,
the woman known as Mary,
who was secretly impregnated by a Roman soldier.
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth
was guilty of blasphemy and sedition,
and that he was rightly put to death,
according to both Jewish and Roman law.
We believe that the dead body of Jesus of Nazareth
was stolen by his followers, who falsely claimed
that he had risen again from the dead
and who subsequently founded a heretical
new religion, in his memory.
According to the Talmud,
our most sacred book of Rabbinical commentary,
that same Jesus is now in Hell,
suffering a most humiliating eternal punishment.
He won’t be coming back. Now, or ever!
We’re not sure whether there will be
a resurrection of the dead or not,
but if there is a world to come,
we remain G-d’s Chosen People. Amen.
As you can see, there is much common ground on which
to build the new, joint Catholic – Jewish theology!