Promoter of Ecumenism Believes «Dominus Iesus» Declaration Is Misunderstood
VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 26, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, has appealed to Jews to reconsider their decision not to participate in the day of Judeo-Christian friendships, originally scheduled for Oct. 3.
On behalf of the Jewish community in Rome, Chief Rabbi Elio Toaff told the cardinal a few days ago that he prefers to cancel or delay the celebration of Judeo-Christian friendship, so dear to the Holy Father, because Jews do not agree with statements made in the «Dominus Iesus» declaration on the unique and universal character of salvation in Christ.
The document was published Sept. 5 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Cardinal Cassidy, who was in Portugal for a meeting on «Men and Religions,» said: «I am displeased by this decision not to participate, but I don't think it is an international problem, and it can be resolved by working with the Roman representatives.»
The Australian cardinal, whom John Paul II has assigned the task of promoting dialogue with Christians of different denominations and with Jews, added: «I hope that the meaning of this document can be explained well, particularly to whom it was directed and what end it hopes to achieve. In this way, we will be able to overcome all the difficulties.»
Cardinal Cassidy noted, «The text is not directed to the ecumenical and interreligious realm, but to the academic world,» hence its rather «scholastic» manner of saying «this is true and this isn't.» The cardinal emphasized that its content is of Vatican Council II.
«But there is a language problem,» he acknowledged. «Above all, it was directed to theology professors of India, because in Asia there is a theological problem over the oneness of salvation.»
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