April 2, 2005 - JCRC Extends its
Condolences on the
Passing of Pope John Paul II
(Boston) The Jewish Community
Relations Council, the representative agency of the Greater Boston Jewish
community, today released a statement offering condolences to the Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and its faithful upon the passing of Pope
John Paul II.
Executive Director Nancy K. Kaufman
and JCRC President Susan A. Calechman issued the following statement:
“Pope John Paul II was a towering figure representing righteousness,
spirituality and humanity. His spirit and his legacy are a testament to
his dedication to making the world better through the healing of
injustices and past misunderstandings. The Pope was a tireless advocate
for opening an honest dialogue between communities, and under his
guidance, the Catholic and Jewish communities enjoyed a fruitful,
harmonious and productive relationship.
On behalf of our community we extend
our deepest sympathies to his faithful on the passing of Pope John Paul
II.
During his papacy, Pope John Paul II
led our communities to historic deep and meaningful spiritual
closeness. The Pope spoke of a special and sacred relationship
between Catholics and Jews and made far-reaching and critically important
statements addressing the Holocaust, stating that anti-Semitism is a sin
against God, and affirming the right of the Jewish people to a homeland
in Israel.
As the first Pope in centuries to
visit a synagogue and as the first Pope to visit Israel, he holds a
special place in the hearts of the Jewish Community. We will forever
remember his moving prayer at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem in which he
stated, “We wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the
people of the Covenant.” Pope John Paul II stood for the dignity of
humanity and was profoundly committed to alleviating the suffering of all
humankind. We remain deeply grateful for his humanism and his
vision. May his memory be a blessing to his flock and all those
who, in his model, strive for peace and reconciliation.”
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) is the
representative voice of the organized Jewish community. Comprised of 42
constituent organizations, JCRC serves as a catalyst for building a
strong and vibrant Jewish community in Boston and around the world;
advocates for a safe, secure, democratic state of Israel; and promotes
an American society that is democratic, pluralistic and just.
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