The Diplomat
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE), the official representative of Spanish Jews, yesterday expressed its sorrow at the death of Pope Benedict XVI and sent “a fraternal embrace” to the Catholic world.
“A great master in theological science that he translated into approachable language, shy, respectful, cordial, humble and close to the people, Joseh Ratzinger is one of the theologians who has most deepened the ‘unique and unmistakable’ relationship that unites Christians with the Jewish people,” the FCJE said in a statement.
“Being president of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he recognized that there was not enough Christian sensitivity towards the Jews,” it continued. “We recall the visit he made to the synagogue in Cologne in 2005 and in 2008 to another in New York on the eve of Passover, in which he addressed the Jewish world saying that an authentic dialogue between Jews and Catholics must be built on differences and mutual respect,” it added.
In this regard, the Federation recalled that in March 2011, Ratzinger published the book Jesus of Nazareth in which he affirmed that the Jewish people are not responsible for Jesus’ death sentence and that the erroneous interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel has had “fatal” consequences in history. “Memorable was also his speech at the Reichtag in 2011 in which he said that salvation comes from the Jewish people,” concluded the FCJE.
