On Saturday, March 25, 2000, a group from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, led by President Anthony J. Cernera and Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, executive director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) of Sacred Heart joined Pope John Paul II for his visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The Pope's visit coincided with the Roman Catholic Church's worldwide Feast of the Annunciation. On this day, Christians commemorate the Angel Gabriel's announcement of the good news to a young Jewish woman, Mary, that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus. By making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this Jubilee Year, the Pope hoped that his presence would also be an announcement of good news, reconciliation and peace.

On his way into the church, the pope stopped to view a forest where thousands of trees are being planted to create a lasting tribute to his efforts to establish greater understanding between religious faiths. The Papal Forest, as it is known, overlooks the Church of the Annunciation and borders Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. The project is being spearheaded by the CCJU in cooperation with the Jewish National Fund and is an effort to provide "common ground" for peace and harmony to grow among these religious traditions in the years to come.

Rabbi Ehrenkranz said, "It was imperative that we were there. It is the work of the Center to support such people as Pope John Paul II, who work for peace. We especially had to stand with the Pope at the Papal Forest in Nazareth to commemorate his efforts and the common ground we share in trying to bring people together. This Pope has made an extraordinary contribution to Christian-Jewish relations throughout his pontificate."

Dr. Cernera agreed, "The Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding of Sacred Heart University continues to play a critical role in fostering dialogue and greater understanding between religious faiths. As a University founded during the Second Vatican Council, whose teachings encouraged interreligious dialogue and cooperation, Sacred Heart University has a special role to play in this process."

The Pontiff's pilgrimage to the Holy Land from March 20-26 was marked by several notable events. Despite the potential political pitfalls, physical limitations and discouraging counsel from his advisors, the Pope was resolute in his conviction that he had to take this pilgrimage of faith.

For almost 35 years, Christians and Jews have been making remarkable progress on this pilgrimage of greater understanding. This journey began with the Vatican II document, Nostra Aetate (1965), which called for the revision of all texts and teaching to remove any anti-Jewish bias. This document was followed by numerous papal statements condemning anti-Semitism and affirming the ongoing validity of Judaism. Later, Pope John Paul II became the first pope since the Apostolic Age to visit a synagogue in Rome and pray with the people there. In his message on April 13, 1986, he had said, "With Judaism, therefore, we have a relationship which we do not have with any other religion. You are our dearly beloved brothers and, in a certain way, it could be said that you are our elder brothers." Also augmented by the Vatican's formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Israel, the relationship between Christians and Jews is the best it has been since the beginning of their 2,000-year relationship. The 1998 Vatican document, We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, reveals a maturation process that has occurred between Christians and Jews. And now, this journey has taken the pope to the land where religious time began for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

In contrast to 1964, when Pope Paul VI came for a one-day visit in January to a divided Jerusalem under Jordanian control, Pope John Paul II spoke at a meeting on March 24, which was co-sponsored by Sacred Heart University where he addressed a gathering of Jews, Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem at the Notre Dame Pontifical Institute. At that meeting he said that Jerusalem was a holy and was the most appropriate place for leaders of the three monotheistic religions that share Abraham as their common father in faith, to enter into authentic dialogue. He later said, "In spite of its many difficulties, Jerusalem is called to become the symbol of peace among those believers in the God of Abraham who put themselves under His law. "

Dr. Cernera said, "Jerusalem was alive and palpable. Everyone knew that he or she was part of a very special event. The taxi drivers and shop owners were buzzing with hope and excitement. In Jerusalem you have the amazing mix of progress and hope tempered with continued challenges and animosities. Psalm 122 took on profound meaning, 'I rejoiced when I heard them say, let us go to the house of the Lord! And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!'"

 Western Wall


As part of his pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II went to pray at the Western Wall, all that remains of the temple Herod had built which was destroyed in 70 CE. A trembling, but fearless hand touched the Western Wall and the Pope placed a prayer in the wall that read, "God of our fathers, you chose Abraham and his descendants to bring your name to the nations. We are deeply saddened by the behavior of those who, in the course of history, have caused these children of yours to suffer."

Rabbi Ehrenkranz said, "When the leader of the Roman Catholic Church visits the holiest site of the Jewish people, this is a sign of enduring friendship and peace." Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See  Aharon López said, "By following the Jewish tradition, he won the hearts of Israelis."



Yad Vashem
The Pope also visited the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem and was burdened with grief. He said that it was essential to remember and take responsibility for the past, and he asked Jews, Christians, and all people of good will  to oppose evil in the future and to walk the path of peace. Leaning on his staff and shuffling along, this aged pope stopped and stood solidly alone before the large slab of black granite inscribed with the names of victims of the Nazi death camps. He said, "As Bishop of Rome and successor of the Apostle Peter, I assure the Jewish people that the Catholic Church, motivated by the Gospel law of truth and love and by no political considerations, is deeply saddened by the hatreds, acts of persecution and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians at any time and in any place." 

Israeli Prime Minister Eliud Barak said, "Your coming here today, to the Tent of Remembrance at Yad Vashem, is the climax of this historic journey of healing. This very moment holds within it 2,000 years of history." 

 

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