Author Description

Examines theological aspects of the Jewish-Christian dialogue, and the challenge posed by the State of Israel to the Catholic Church, focusing on the period 1965-1987. Discusses the "Nostra Aetate" declaration and other official statements of the Vatican condemning antisemitism. Ch. 3 (pp. 22-42), "The Problem of Antisemitism - and a Solution, " mentions traditional anti-Jewish theological stereotypes, stressing, however, the postwar efforts of the Vatican toward reconciliation and dialogue. States that the abhorrence of antisemitism is a major theme in Pope John Paul II's homilies and addresses. Rejects the claim of Jewish writers that anti-Zionism is the fundamental cause for the Vatican's non-formal recognition of Israel. Two appendixes (pp. 120-133) contain a chronology of Pope John Paul II's addresses on Jews and Judaism (1979-1986), and a list of guidelines of particular churches after 1967.