Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry is hosting an important talk by Rabbi A. James Rudin, where he will discuss his new book, Cushing, Spellman, O'Connor: The Surprising Story of How Three American Cardinals Transformed Catholic-Jewish Relations.
There were many significant achievements of Vatican II, but few outstrip the significance of the Catholic Church's explicit condemnation of anti-Semitism contained in the seminal document Nostra Aetate. And, Bl. Pope John Paul II not only embraced that document's teaching, but took significant steps to improve Catholic-Jewish relations, being the first Pope to visit the main synagogue in Rome, establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, and making his memorable pastoral visit to the Holy Land, leaving us all, Catholics and Jews, with the indelible memory of the aging pontiff praying at the Western Wall. Pope Benedict XVI has continued the push for better relations and, indeed, the Bilateral Permanent Wokring Commission met at the Vatican today for high level talks between Israel and the Holy See. It is difficult to imagine that 60 years ago, such a meeting would have been unthinkable. And the role of key U.S. churchmen in getting us from there to here is one of the proudest accomplishments of the U.S. Church.
The event at BC will take place on February 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Yawkey Center's Murray Function Room.
For more information, and to register for the event,click here.
