Pope rejects the idea of "Jewish guilt"

Community groups and Anti-Defamation League welcome book dismissing blame for death of Jesus.

By James Preston Published 03 March 2011

Pope Benedict XVI has rejected the concept of Jewish responsibility for the death of Jesus Christ in a book to be published next week.

In the book, titled Jesus of Nazareth - Part II, the Pope is dismissive of a deadly debate that has raged for 2,000 years, claiming that scripture makes it clear that it was Temple authorities, and not Jews, that were Jesus' accusers.

The comments have been welcomed by prominent Jewish community groups and the Anti-Defamation League, and could mark a significant improvement in Catholic-Jewish relations for the Vatican.

Jews were finally exonerated by the Catholic Church for any blame for Jesus' death in the 1965 document "Nostra Aetate," though the relationship between the Vatican and Jewish community remains tense.

Unlike his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, who generally maintained a strong relationship with Judaism, Pope Benedict's reign has not always been met so favourably.

In 2007, the Pope ordered the revival of the Latin "Good Friday prayer for the Jews." The new version was widely condemned by Jews for failing to remove lines calling for them to embrace Jesus Christ and convert.

The lifting of the excommunication of Bishop Richard Williamson, who expressed controversial anti-Jewish sentiments, and Pope Benedict's support for the canonisation of Pope Pius XII, who many Jews feel was too passive during the Holocaust, have also attracted criticism.

However, Pope Benedict XVI, who visited Israel in 2009, has made the clearest statement to distance the Catholic Church from accusations of deicide against Jews since the publication of "Nostra Aetate."

In a statement, the World Jewish Congress praised the Pope for "unequivocally rejecting the argument that the Jewish people can be held responsible."

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: The Pope Catholic Church

View the discussion thread.

8 comments

Tue, 2011-03-29 10:24 — Mike O'Shea (not verified)

I am pleased to see that Benedict is emphasising something that was quite clear from the moment Jesus was condemned to death. Unfortunately, during the past two millenia, many Christians have blamed the Jewish people as a whole for his death, resulting in despicable, unjustified treatment throughout history. Most people throughout Europe have been guilty of this. If Jews accept the Pope's statement, and if they can genuinely forgive such persecution, I would hope they will begin to look with fresh eyes and clear mind at Jesus' claim to be God incarnate. As a devout Christian I take great pride in the fact that the Messiah is a Jew, and that my relationship with him means that I have a special relationship with all Jews. I am their brother. They are my brothers and sisters. When I receive the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Eucharistic celebration of the Last Supper I believe that I share in the divinty of a man who was and is a Jew. It's his divinity that is important, but the reality is that he is given to us by the Jewish people.

Tue, 2011-03-29 11:13 — Brianna (not verified)

O'Shea, He was given to us not by the Jewish people but through the Jewish people. He gave himself to us as part of the greater salvation plan to rid us, whoever accepts, of our sins

Fri, 2011-03-04 04:59 — Reginald-Fah-fah

About time! We all know it was Romans who killed the good chap jesus!

The Romans not only murder people, they told lies with bells on them! The Labour Party must be learnt their policies from the Romans!

Sun, 2011-03-06 15:06 — Keir

'if it doesn't include at least gays, the disabled, Soviets and gypsies.'

And Christians.

Sun, 2011-03-06 02:09 — Anonymount (not verified)

The Holocuast is an extraordinary word if it doesn't include at least gays, the disabled, Soviets and gypsies.

Sun, 2011-03-06 02:10 — Anonymount (not verified)

BOLLOCKS. Holocaust,

Mon, 2011-03-07 20:57 — HISservant (not verified)

Matthew 27
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." - Romans 3:4 - Thus says the LORD GOD / The Lord JESUS CHRIST!

Thu, 2011-03-03 20:31 — Keir

It has been clear as day since the time of the apostles that those responsible for the death of Jesus were the Sanhedrin, composed of an elite of Roman sympathisers, wealthy liberals and legalistic self-serving teachers, a world away from the democracy of the early Israelites. Far more ordinary Jews, including ex-priests, joined the apostles, who were almost all Jews, including Paul and Apollos. How is it that it takes two millennia for this to sink into the minds of the RCC? Is it because they are immensely stupid? No. RCC leadership is stupid, but not that stupid. Is it because the RCC is having difficulty in the street cred stakes, and needs the publicity? Quite possibly.

Is this long wait because the RCC is a world away from the democracy of the early Israelites, and the church of the apostles? Now you're talking.