Among several problematic (a charitable word choice) aspects of his recent sermon at the Vatican, Fr. Cantalamessa's comments taken from a Jewish friend's letter give special cause for concern. The letter read, in part... [emphasis added]
"I am following with indignation the violent and concentric attacks against the Church, the Pope and all the faithful by the whole world. The use of stereotypes, the passing from personal responsibility and guilt to a collective guilt remind me of the more shameful aspects of anti-Semitism. Therefore I desire to express to you personally, to the Pope and to the whole Church my solidarity as Jew of dialogue and of all those that in the Jewish world (and there are many) share these sentiments of brotherhood. Our Passover and yours undoubtedly have different elements, but we both live with Messianic hope that surely will reunite us in the love of our common Father."
Will someone at the Vatican (Pope Benedict?) please offer a public correction to the papal preacher? Jesus clearly taught that...
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn. 14:6)
And...
"[W]hoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." (Lk. 10:16)
Scripture clearly tells us that...
"There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." (Acts 4:12)
Couldn't one argue that failure to instruct Jews on this essential matter is the 'worst form of anti-Semitism'?
Update: In the wake of "harsh criticism", Fr. Cantalamessa has apologized for offending Jews & abuse victims by quoting his Jewish friend which compared abuse scandals in the Church to anti-Semitism. No apology, however, was made for his failure to instruct Jews that they must convert for salvation. In fact, a recent story on a Jewish site complains (whines?) about a reference in a "traditionalist Good Friday prayer" that refers to "conversion the Jews". They claim the wording was "quite unexpectedly... changed to 'Let us Pray for the Conversion of the Jews'" instead of "Let us Pray for the Jews" and want the "error" corrected. They have reportedly received assurance from the Vatican that the "error" will be "rectified". Commentary: With all the talk of a 'new Pentecost', when will those who love souls finally revisit the true Pentecost in which St. Peter - upon receiving the Holy Spirit, and acting as Christ's representative - instructed the devout Jews of that time that they needed to repent and be baptized into Christ's Church for salvation (cf. Acts 2:38-41)? Avoiding missionary activity may feel more pleasant & 'friendly', but is it not entirely contrary to the Church's mission & the 'worst form of anti-Semitism'?
Related: Who Jesus Is & Why You Should Believe | The Importance of Being Catholic: Combating Religious Indifferentism
[4/3, updated 4/5]
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