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Washington, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) expressed pleasure at the House’s vote of 349-0 to approve his resolution (H.Con.Res. 260) marking the 40th anniversary of the Vatican’s publication of the Nostra Aetate, which repudiated “hatreds, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism directed against Jews at any time or from any source.”
“I’m pleased the House has recognized this historic milestone promoting dialogue and understanding among the world’s great religions,” said Holt. “Building respect and deepening the dialogue between all people of faith is essential to creating a more peaceful world.”
“Nostra Aetate was not empty sentimentality,” Holt continued. “It was historic, important and effective. It has made a difference in the history of the world.”
Nostra Aetate, issued by Pope Paul VI on October 28, 1965, represented an explicit repudiation of anti-Semitism and religious hatred by the Roman Catholic Church and spoke of the need for interreligious dialogue to foster religious respect. While it began in draft as declaration on solely Catholic-Jewish relations, it was expanded to include other religions.
In addition to marking the 40th anniversary of the publication of Nostra Aetate, H.Con.Res. 260 encourages the United States to serve in a role of leadership in combating anti-Semitism and religious hatred or bigotry in all its forms and ending religious intolerance and religious discrimination worldwide. The bill has been endorsed by The American Jewish Committee, The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, American Jewish Congress, The Anti-Defamation League, The Institute for Religion and Public Policy, Catholic-Jewish Studies Program Catholic Theological Union, The Center for the Study of Jewish Christian Relations at Merrimack College, Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College, The Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue at Xavier University, and Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.
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