Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, and the continuing need for mutual… (Introduced in House)

HCON 260 IH

109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 260

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, and the continuing need for mutual interreligious respect and dialogue.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 6, 2005

Mr. HOLT submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations


CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, and the continuing need for mutual interreligious respect and dialogue.

Whereas 2005 marks the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of the Nostra Aetate;

Whereas on October 28, 1965, after the overwhelmingly affirmative vote of the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Paul VI issued the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate;

Whereas the Nostra Aetate affirms the need for mutual respect among all religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, and strongly supports `dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions’;

Whereas the Nostra Aetate clearly states that `No foundation therefore remains for any theory or practice that leads to discrimination between man and man or people and people, so far as their human dignity and the rights flowing from it are concerned.’;

Whereas Pope Benedict XVI has said that `Nostra Aetate has proven to be a milestone on the road towards reconciliation of Christians with the Jewish people. It makes clear that `God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers; He does not repent of the gifts He makes or of the calls He issues’;

Whereas the Nostra Aetate made possible a new relationship between Catholics and Jews worldwide and opened a historic chapter in Jewish-Christian relations that is unprecedented in its closeness and warmth; and

Whereas the Nostra Aetate states that the Church `decries hatred, persecution, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress–

(1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate;
(2) recognizes and appreciates the religious diversity of the United States and the world;
(3) encourages the United States to serve in a role of leadership in combating anti-Semitism in all its ugly forms and ending religious intolerance and religious discrimination worldwide;
(4) acknowledges and supports the new relationship of collaboration and dialogue that has grown between Jews and Roman Catholics worldwide; and
(5) requests the President–

(A) to issue a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate and urging the people of the United States to observe the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
(B) to exert the leadership of the United States to work toward ensuring that anti-Semitism and all forms of religious hatred and racial bigotry are not tolerated worldwide.