Wednesday, February 27, 2008

View from the Jewish side

Ever since the New Catholic Encyclopedia came out (in 15 volumes) in 2003, I have used it as a sort of general purpose encyclopedia of religion - looking up articles on Buddhist holidays, the differences between Lutheran synods, etc. Then last year the library got the latest edition of Encyclopaedia Judaica (in 22 volumes!), but I never thought to use it in the same way - until last week. My eyes are opening!

Just out of curiosity, I decided to look up "Church, Catholic" in the Jewish encyclopedia. It was a respectful article, but very painfully factual about centuries of the Church's mistrust, prejudice, hatred, and violence toward Jews. It ends with information about current attempts at apologies and reconciliation, but I was left feeling deep shame. This was a watershed moment in my personal education. I had always had a vague notion that the Catholic Church had not treated Jews well, but never knew the particulars. Once again, I realize how much I have left to learn! A lifetime is never enough for the important things.

2 comments:

  1. The Catholic Church does have an unsavory past. We just hope that 1. these terrible things don't happen again and 2. we learn the lesson.

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  2. Until the Catholic Church EMBRACES everyone as a child of God in humility and love, it will always find someone to pick on. Learnt its lesson? I don't think so. And please don't think the Church is against whomever (Muslims/GLBTQs) because they are "sinful." That's what the Church said for centuries about Jews, too.

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