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Catholic World News News Feature

European Rabbis Praise Pope's Pardon Appeal March 15, 2000

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (CWNews.com) - European rabbis ended a four-day meeting today with praise for Pope John Paul II and his historic plea for pardon on behalf of the Church for the sins of her children throughout history.

Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of Britain, said at the end of the Conference of European Rabbis meeting: "We applauded this courageous and strong declaration made by the Pope. We hope the words will be heard and implemented throughout the Catholic Church."

Although some groups, including leading Jewish figures, criticized the appeal for the lack of specifics, including direct references to the Holocaust, many Jewish groups said the statement said enough, and expected the Holy Father to say more when he visits Israel next week.

The American Jewish Congress said the Pontiff's pardon marked "a profound historic turning point in the Church and its own perception of its role and responsibilities in the world." The group added, "Our welcome of these changes ought not be obscured by focusing on points that may not have been specifically identified by the Pope during the course of his bold accounting of the Church's errors."

Congress President Jack Rosen said last Sunday's ceremony of self-examination "establishes a new basis for Catholic-Jewish relations from this point forward."