By Teresa Martinez - Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
Photographer: Teresa Martinez
Rabbi A. James Rudin was a panelist at the special symposium and spoke about the impact of “Nostra Aetate” on Catholic Jewish relations.
MIAMI | Nearly 200 people attended a special symposium hosted by Belen Jesuit Preparatory School on Dec. 1 to mark the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of Vatican Council II and of “Nostra Aetate," a landmark document that ushered in a new era in interreligious relations, especially between Jews and Christians.
“Nostra Aetate,” which is Latin for "in our time," was issued in October 1965 by Pope Paul VI to highlight an era of better relationships and understanding with other religious groups. Jesuit Cardinal Augustin Bea and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel were the primary architects of the document. Consisting of only 1,700 words in English, "Nostra Aetate" declared that anti-Semitism and persecution of others because of their faith - be they Jews, Hindus, Muslims, or Christians - should not be tolerated.
Belen Jesuit was chosen to host the symposium by the American Jewish Committee's Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs, because of the connection between the Jewish faith and the Society of Jesus; and particularly because one of the architects of the document, Cardinal Bea, was a Jesuit.
“Nostra Aetate was a milestone that transformed the relations between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community. A transformation that is reaching new peaks under the leadership and commitment of Pope Francis. We are proud of the singular role that AJC played in this process of understanding and collaboration between brothers and sisters throughout the decades,” said Juan M. Dircie, associate director of the Institute.
“We are very proud that Belen Jesuit was chosen to host this symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of 'Nostra Aetate', which is famous for reshaping the relationship between Catholics and Jews, rejecting the terrible tradition of anti-Semitism that had for many centuries plagued the 'Church,” said Jesuit Father Pedro Suarez, school president. “I welcome our Jewish brothers and sisters with open arms and in particular our special guest, the Consul General of Israel, Chaim Shacham, and his wife.”
Speakers included:
- Jesuit Father Francisco Perez-Lerena: Second Vatican Council, Its Inspiration;
- Antonio Lopez, Ph.D.: Decree “Nostra Aetate”;
- and Rabbi A. James Rudin: Impact of “Nostra Aetate” on Catholic Jewish Relations.
Students and members of the faculty attended the symposium. “It was an interesting night. It was a valuable experience, listening to those scholars speak,” said Belen Jesuit senior Daniel Brennan.
Photographer: Teresa Martinez
An interreligious choir performed at the "Nostra Aetate" symposium at Belen Jesuit on Dec. 1.
As a special gesture to signify the importance of this landmark document and its anniversary, a video was produced by Belen Jesuit’s film teacher Johnny Calderin. Additionally, an interfaith choir was assembled for the occasion. Student singers from Belen Jesuit, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School, Christopher Columbus High School, and Coral Reef Senior High School performed songs in Latin, Hebrew, and English.
“I think that events like this symposium are important because it helps us have a greater understanding of how when two different groups, in this case faiths, come together something wonderful can be created,” said Belen Jesuit senior David Andreu.
Photographer: Teresa Martinez
From left to right, the panelists included: Rabbi A. James Rudin – Impact of “Nostra Aetate” on Catholic Jewish Relations; Antonio Lopez, Ph.D. – Decree “Nostra Aetate”; and Jesuit Father Francisco Perez-Lerena – Second Vatican Council, Its Inspiration. Pictured in the back row: Consul General of Israel Chaim Shacham, Jesuit Father Pedro Suarez, and Juan M. Dircie, associate director of the Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs of the AJC.
