11 July 2007
In the wake of Pope Benedict XVI's authorization of the wider use of the Latin (Tridentine) Mass, the official body of the organized Jewish communities for liaison with the Vatican has sent an urgent letter to the cardinal responsible for Catholic-Jewish relations, asking for clarification regarding the "prayer for the conversion of the Jews" that had been excised from the liturgy following the Second Vatican Council. In a letter to Cardinal Walter Kasper, the leadership of IJCIC (International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations) refers to the concern within Jewish circles that the authorization may have allowed for the return of this prayer, but acknowledges that there are those who have interpreted the text of the Pope's authorization to exclude the liturgy prior to Easter where this prayer was used.
The collaborative achievements of IJCIC with the Vatican over the past 40 years and "Pope Benedict XVI's own commitment to the Catholic-Jewish relationship, lead us to believe that there can surely be no intention to turn the clock back in terms of our bilateral relationship" the letter states, adding: "We are accordingly inclined to trust those who read this new permission to use the Latin Mass not to include the portions which were considered to be delegitimizing to Jews and pray that we will receive confirmation from you that this is indeed the case."
