HCR260NOV11

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending November 11, 2005

H.CON.RES.260 Concurrent resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's promulgation of Noestra Aetate, the declaration on the relation of the Roman Catholic Church to non-Christian religions, and the historic role of Nostra Aetate in fostering mutual interreligious respect and dialogue.

BRIEF

The Catholic Church has had a program of building relationships with non-Christian religions. The Resolution particularly notes a collaborative relationship between the Catholics and the Jews.

The church effort is called Nostra Aetate and the President is urged to proclaim the 40^th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and exert leadership against anti-Semitism and other religious bigotry.

Sponsor: Representative Rush D. Holt (D-NJ-12^th)

Vote: Passed House November 8, 2005

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Whereas 2005 marks the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of Nostra Aetate, the declaration on the relation of the Roman Catholic Church to non-Christian religions;

Whereas on October 28, 1965, after the overwhelmingly affirmative vote of the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Paul VI issued Nostra Aetate, which means `in our time';

Whereas Nostra Aetate affirmed the respect of the Roman Catholic Church for Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, and exhorted Catholics to engage in `dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions';

Whereas Nostra Aetate made possible a new relationship between Catholics and Jews worldwide and opened a chapter in Jewish-Christian relations that is unprecedented in its closeness and warmth;

Whereas Nostra Aetate states that the Roman Catholic Church `decries hatred, persecution, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone'; and

Whereas Nostra Aetate clearly states that `No foundation therefore remains for any theory or practice that leads to discrimination between man and man or people and people, so far as their human dignity and the rights flowing from it are concerned.': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's promulgation of Nostra Aetate, the declaration on the relation of the Roman Catholic Church to non-Christian religions;

(2) appreciates the role of the Holy See in combating religious intolerance and religious discrimination;

(3) encourages the United States to continue to serve in a leading role in combating anti-Semitism and other forms of religious intolerance and religious discrimination worldwide;

(4) acknowledges the role of Nostra Aetate in fostering interreligious dialogue and mutual respect, including, in particular, new relationships of collaboration and dialogue between Jews and Catholics since the issuance of Nostra Aetate; and

(5) requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and the historic role of Nostra Aetate in fostering mutual inter-religious respect and dialogue.

Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2005.

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