Repairing the Wrongdoing Done to Jews

[Terry_Ypsilanti]

Hello:

I was searching the web for information on the history of the Jewish Synagogue and found a resource jewishencyclopedia.com. In the information about the history of the synagogues I read accounts of Christian abuse of Jews. Has the Church ever discussed how we ought to make amends for the destruction done to Jews especially by bishops. Although it did speak of St Gregory the Great as one who sought for justice for the Jews.

Thanks,
Terry D.

 

[Petaro]

The Jews are the chosen people of God. God looks after His own. Just be respectful towards anyone you know, mindful of their connections.

 

[Flimmy]

What wrongdoing.

 

[LongingSoul]

Hello:

I was searching the web for information on the history of the Jewish Synagogue and found a resource jewishencyclopedia.com. In the information about the history of the synagogues I read accounts of Christian abuse of Jews. Has the Church ever discussed how we ought to make amends for the destruction done to Jews especially by bishops. Although it did speak of St Gregory the Great as one who sought for justice for the Jews.

Thanks,
Terry D.

Bl. John Paul II immediately addressed the issue when he took Peters seat and by 1998, the Church had officially made an unmitigated apology for the wrongs that Christians wrought against the Jews in our history.

jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/poperep.html

 

[Darryl1958]

Judaism is not a lot different than Catholicism in the understanding that a sincere apology changes the whole dynamic, and set the stage for starting a whole new relationship.
To wipe the slate clean, repentance is sufficient.

 

[manualman]

Ironically, the financial reparations were already made during the period when the anti-Semitism was the worst. IMO, the biggest reasons for systematic anti-Semitism were NOT theological / philosophical, but diabolical (the devil hates the chosen people) and financial.

Financial?? Yep. For centuries, the church defined the charging of ANY interest on loans as “usury” and banned the practice for Christians. Jews, on the other hand, were free to be lenders and generally were the ONLY lenders in many Christian cities. Then (as with banks today), they made a tidy profit at it, which made for rather more than a little resentment. Think how people today feel about their credit card company. Now imagine that people generally associated that feeling with Judaism. Ouch.

So while Christian morality on usury was good business for the Jewish people, it didn’t do them a whole lot of good in terms of building goodwill. On second thought then, maybe that doesn’t count as reparations. More like golden handcuffs.

 

[Ranp]

The Jews are the chosen people of God. God looks after His own. Just be respectful towards anyone you know, mindful of their connections.

The Jews were the chosen people of God but that covenant was fulfilled. Christ created a new covenant in which all the people of the world His people. This new covenant is centered upon Jesus Christ and His bride, the Holy Catholic Church.

Many Christians have done terrible things to Jews but the best Jewish scholars are quick to note that throughout history the Jews of Europe had no better friend than the Vatican. I suggest reading The Myth of Hitler’s Pope by Rabbi David G. Dalin.

Ran Pleasant

 

[gracepoole]

What wrongdoing.

Is that a serious question?

Financial?? Yep. For centuries, the church defined the charging of ANY interest on loans as “usury” and banned the practice for Christians. Jews, on the other hand, were free to be lenders and generally were the ONLY lenders in many Christian cities. Then (as with banks today), they made a tidy profit at it, which made for rather more than a little resentment. Think how people today feel about their credit card company. Now imagine that people generally associated that feeling with Judaism. Ouch.

It’s important to note, too, that in many communities Jews were prohibited, by Christians, from practicing a slew of professions. One of the only options left was usury. What a horrible catch-22.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

What wrongdoing.

Are you being sarcastic?

In fairness to the Vatican, it has formally apologized for the past wrongs such as failing to take decisive action during the Holocaust. We can’t change the past and need to look forward.

 

[Rocky24]

Are you being sarcastic?

In fairness to the Vatican, it has formally apologized for the past wrongs such as failing to take decisive action during the Holocaust. We can’t change the past and need to look forward.

That is a myth. The Vatican and Venerable Pope Pius XII did take decisive action during the Holocaust. Read this: catholic.com/documents/how-pius-xii-protected-jews

Let’s not forget that in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries, the Church was persecuted by both the Roman Empire and the Jews.