Rabbi Skorka: “We need a theological explanation of what a Jew is to a Catholic, and what a Catholic is to a Jew.”

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…

Link

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!

Writer takes serious issue with Cardinal Koch and his particular interpretation of the Catholic Church’s position towards the Jews.

There’s too much interesting information here to even attempt to paraphrase. Read the entire article to get the proper sense of the issue. Otherwise, you may get the wrong impression.

Link

Editor’s note: The reason Pope Pius XII seems to have a Jewish target on his back is because it’s critical for the Jews to totally repudiate the man – in order to successfully repudiate his views about the State of Israel – which were all Traditionally Catholic and beyond reproach.

Pope Pius XII  – based on the historical and doctrinal truth of established Catholic principles – going back over a thousand years – absolutely refused to back the Zionist movement – so his character must be attacked and his entire papacy discredited.

Cardinal Koch has made a career of speaking, while actually saying (and accomplishing) nothing. This is an essential skill for many post-Vatican II Catholic bishops and priests – who have been saying much – but teaching little or nothing worthy of merit – for the last fifty years, or so.

Jesus on the cross declared “The definitive Yom Kippur”. Cardinal Koch refuses to knuckle under to anti-Catholic Jewish leaders.

The first U.S. appearance by the Vatican’s new chief liaison to world Jewry has left some key Christian and Jewish interfaith officials angry and distressed.

Cardinal Kurt Koch told an audience at Seton Hall University, in New Jersey, that many Jews approve the potential canonization of the controversial Holocaust-era Pope Pius XII.

Koch, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, added that the long-demanded opening of the Vatican’s Holocaust-era archives would not shed more light on Pius’ Nazi-era actions. “The very important things [that need to be] said are said and on the table,” Koch said.

Read more

Editor’s note: Perhaps if the good Cardinal would have publicly denied Jesus Christ and cursed Pope Pius XII, the Jewish leaders might have been a bit less disturbed! The real question now is, “Precisely how will the Judaisers inside the Catholic Church attack Cardinal Koch.”

The “bright spot” of the meeting: The cardinal’s assertions — plus others such as that Jews can look upon the cross as “the definitive Yom Kippur”— were met with either blank expressions or grumbling from the audience of about 60 rabbis, priests, theologians and specialists in interfaith dialogue.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall, at that meeting! Here’s to you, “plain speaking” Cardinal Koch. It’s certainly about time somebody once again stood up and boldly declared the ancient Christian faith to the original “stiff-necked people”.