Press release [unofficial translation]
A Conversation about the Jewish-Christian dialogue in the Vatican
At the initiative of the Catholic President of the German Coordinating Council of Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation (DKR), the Presidium of the DKR and the leadership of the Discussion Group "Jews and Christians" of the Central Committee of German Catholics met in the Vatican on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 with the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Kurt Cardinal Koch.
The occasion was the controversy over an essay by Joseph Ratzinger / emeritus Pope Benedict XVI on the [2015] document of the Vatican Commission on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the declaration Nostra Aetate promulgation. The essay was published by Cardinal Koch in July 2018 in the journal Communio.
"The text of emeritus Pope Benedict XVI has led to considerable confusion in the Christian-Jewish conversation. In particular, his criticism of the expression God’s 'unrevoked covenant' with Israel gave rise to doubts as to whether the Catholic Church’s appreciation of Judaism on the basis of Nostra Aetate still stands," said the representatives of the German Coordinating Council of Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation and the ZdK discussion group "Jews and Christians." Some passionate reactions to the article were an expression of concern that what had been achieved in Jewish-Christian relations could be called into question at key points.
Cardinal Koch explained that, having received the views of emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, he did not want to withhold them from the public and thought the possibility of open discussion was the best way forward. The essay is not a letter of magisterial authority, but the position of an individual scholar. When asked whether the person of the writer did not give the text a different weight, Cardinal Koch replied that Nostra Aetate enjoys the highest magisterial authority and the text of the Commission is officially authorized by the church, whereas the text of the emeritus pope only reflects his personal viewpoint. The Cardinal explicitly rejected the interpretation that Joseph Ratzinger / emeritus Pope Benedict XVI intended with his article to theologically substantiate the Good Friday intercession for the Extraordinary Rite. The emeritus Pope did not want in any way to question Nostra Aetate and also fully supports the Commission’s [2015] text. He had only theologically critiqued two specific points, for example, whether one could even speak of a "revocation" of the covenant according to biblical understanding. The questions he raises are worth being considered – not to retract anything, but to deepen [understanding]. Cardinal Koch noted in this context that the wording of emeritus Pope Benedict XVI concerning a "re-establishment of the Sinai covenant in the new covenant in the blood of Jesus" was aimed at Catholic self-understanding and would not devalue Judaism. He has not denied that the covenant with Israel is eternally valid. Of course, the debate shows that on the Catholic side the question of how Christian faith in the salvific universality of Christ and the equally clear statement of faith in the never-revoked covenant of God with Israel can be convincingly held together and expressed without doing damage has not yet been adequately answered and needs further reflection.
The members of the presidium of the DKR and the heads of the discussion group "Jews and Christians" at the ZdK stated that even after 50 years the dialogue is still a "tender little shoot," which is why it is all the more important that the trust that has been created not be jeopardized by confusing statements. Cardinal Koch explained that in the dialogue between Jews and Christians, no side or the other should have to subject their own beliefs to question and must expect each other to have uncomfortable truths of faith. He complained in this context that in dialogue with the Jews not all Catholics speak openly, virtually hiding the cross. He called for more forthrightness in the dialogue from all sides on equal terms.
All participants in the discussion agreed that the theological work must continue. This also applies to the understanding of the religious significance of the land of Israel.
The ZdK Round Table will initiate an academic publication on open questions in the dialogue and invited Cardinal Koch to a public inaugural event to continue the exchange with the Round Table. Cardinal Koch pointed out that discourse at the regional level is as important as the Vatican’s work. The activities of the DKR and the Round Table would provide important input that would enrich the Commission.
Finally, all the discussants emphasized the social significance of the Jewish-Christian dialogue: "Jews and Christians are united by their belief in the One God. Only when it is clear that the churches really recognize Judaism can we deprive anti-Jewish stereotypes of their bases and work together for the good of society," according to the leaders of the DKR and the discussion group at the ZdK. They thanked Cardinal Koch for the invitation and the opportunity for an open and constructive exchange.
Participants on January 22, 2019:
Kurt Cardinal Koch , President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
Father Dr. Norbert Hofmann, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews
Dr. Margaretha Hackermeier, President of the German Coordinating Council of Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation
Pastor Friedhelm Pieper, President of the German Coordinating Council of the Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation
Rabbi Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Nachama, President of the German Coordinating Council of the Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation and Head of the Discussion Group "Jews and Christians" at the ZdK
Dagmar Mensink, head of the discussion group "Jews and Christians" at the ZdK