Pope Francis condemned “all manifestations of antisemitism” during his first meeting with official Jewish representatives since his election.
Speaking to a delegation of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, which has traditionally served as the Catholic Church’s official link to the Jewish community, the Pope said: “Because of our common roots, a true Christian cannot be antisemitic.”...
Pope Francis, who previously served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, said that during his time in Argentina, Catholics and Jews “enjoyed each other’s company."
“We were all enriched through encounters and dialogue. We welcomed each other, and this helped all of us grow as people and as believers.” ~Josh Jackman, The JC.com, June 25, 2013
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Furthermore, in her rejection of every persecution against any man, the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel's spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.
Besides, as the Church has always held and holds now, Christ underwent His passion and death freely, because of the sins of men and out of infinite love, in order that all may reach salvation. It is, therefore, the burden of the Church's preaching to proclaim the cross of Christ as the sign of God's all-embracing love and as the fountain from which every grace flows.
5. We cannot truly call on God, the Father of all, if we refuse to treat in a brotherly way any man, created as he is in the image of God. Man's relation to God the Father and his relation to men his brothers are so linked together that Scripture says: "He who does not love does not know God" (1 John 4:8).
No foundation therefore remains for any theory or practice that leads to discrimination between man and man or people and people, so far as their human dignity and the rights flowing from it are concerned.
The Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against men or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life, or religion. On the contrary, following in the footsteps of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, this sacred synod ardently implores the Christian faithful to "maintain good fellowship among the nations" (1 Peter 2:12), and, if possible, to live for their part in peace with all men,(14) so that they may truly be sons of the Father who is in heaven.(15)
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- "Declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions: Nostra Aetate," Proclaimed by Pope Paul VI, 1965-OCT-28. See: http://www.vatican.va/
"Love one another as I have loved you."
"Love your enemies."
"No greater love has any man than this that he lay down his life for his friend."
"Love God...and your neighbor as yourself."
It is a reminder of the justice and respect God demands of everyone in our relationships with one another.
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