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News Items
August - October 2003
Remembering the Invasion of Poland
Polish-Americans commemorated the 64th anniversary of Hitler’s invasion of Poland and the start of World War II on September 1, 1939. The remembrance took the form of many Catholic Masses in various Polish Churches in Brooklyn and New York.
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger
The Jewish born Roman Catholic Cardinal of Paris, France delivered a 40 minute speech about the future of Catholic-Jewish relations during a dinner sponsored by the World Jewish Congress. During his speech, the Cardinal whose mother died in Auschwitz, outlined six points that should serve as the basis for future dialogue. His final statement was, “Jew and Christians are guardians of the revelation of the Only One God and His design to bring all humans together one day.”
Statistics
According to reports, the Vatican Wed site (www.vatican.va) now averages about 60 million hits a month from Web surfers in 150 countries. It contains 65,000 church documents and more than 200,000 pages.
There are 3,000 Catholics per priest. Catholics number approximately 1.06 billion.
The Shrine of the Book
The Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book, the building that houses the best preserved Dead Sea Scrolls, will reopen next spring, following a year of renovation. During the restoration, the scrolls will be featured in an exhibition, “Envisioning the Temple: Scrolls, Stones, and Symbols,” at the Israel Museum. The refurbishment will preserve the Shrine’s unique architecture and will make the scrolls more accessible to the public.
Jewish Graves
The Chief rabbi and the Council of Christians and Jews are among those who have expressed outrage at the “massive desecration” of a Jewish cemetery in east London. Nearly 400 tombstones were pulled down.
Holocaust Denial
Jewish critics have warned all peoples about men like David Irvind who writes books and articles on the denial of the Holocaust. Deborah Lipstadt in her book says, “the Holocaust denial warrants vigilance.” The Holocaust deniers are dangerous.
The Congo
Catholics are a target in the latest Republic of Congo. Last week several priests and dozens of parishioners were murdered in the capital. The rebels have turned against the Catholic Church because it is protecting thousands of people seeking shelter in the Churches and Mission area.
Vouchers
All across the U.S.A. the push for school vouchers is gaining momentum. While vouchers are resisted by the public school system, it appears that the unions can no longer back the tide. People want choices and they are growing in numbers.
Rabbi Meir Mitelman
Hofstra University received a silver etrog box from the president of Yeshiva University, Richard Joel for his 25 years of service to Jewish students at Hofstra University. Rabbi Mitelman said one day a student said, “Rabbi, the Jewish seedling in me needs watering.”
New Bishop
The Vatican announced that Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Camden, New Jersey will succeed Bishop Daily as the Bishop of Brooklyn. He will be installed on October 3rd.
College of Cardinals
The number of cardinals under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in the conclave that will elect the next Pope has fallen to 109. The total number of cardinals in the college is now 166. The dwindling number of electors make is likewise that Pope John Paul II will soon call a consistory to create more cardinals. Interestingly the oldest living cardinal, Corrado Bafile, is still in good health.
Judge Bork
Robert Bork, former circuit judge, U.S. solicitor general and Supreme Court judicial nominee entered the Catholic Church as a convert at the age of 76. Formerly a Presbyterian, he expressed his joy at his decision to be a Catholic.
Dr. Eugene J. Fisher
Pope John Paul II conferred on Dr. Eugene J. Fisher, associate director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, his re-appointment as Consultor to the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Dr. Fisher is one of the ten such Consultors and the only American. |
