Documents of the Second Vatican Council

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 24. Chapters: Ad Gentes, Apostolicam Actuositatem, Christus Dominus, Decretum de Judaeis, Dei Verbum, Dignitatis Humanae, Gaudet Mater Ecclesia, Gaudium et Spes, Gravissimum Educationis, Inter Mirifica, Lumen Gentium, Nostra Aetate, Optatam Totius, Orientalium Ecclesiarum, Perfectae Caritatis, Presbyterorum Ordinis, Sacrosanctum Concilium, Unitatis Redintegratio. Excerpt: Decretum de Judaeis is the name given to the series of draft documents of the Second Vatican Council which led to ground-breaking progress in the Church's relations with Jews. Because they are not featured prominently within Nostra Aetate itself, with only 25% of content dedicated to Jews, they are not to be confused with the official conciliar statements themselves. Approximately fourteen months after Cardinal Bea was commissioned by Pope John XXIII the first draft, entitled "Decree on the Jews" ("Decretum de Judaeis") was completed, that is, in November 1961. This draft essentially went nowhere, never having been submitted to the Council, which opened on 11 October 1962. It read: The Church, the Bride of Christ, acknowledges with a heart full of gratitude that, according to God's mysterious saving design, the beginnings of her faith and election go as far back as to the Israel of the Patriarchs and Prophets. Thus she acknowledges that all Christian believers, children of Abraham by faith (see Gal 3:7), are included in his call. Similarly, her salvation is prefigured in the deliverance of the Chosen People out of Egypt, as in a sacramental sign (Liturgy of the Easter Vigil). And the Church, a new creation in Christ (see Eph 2:15), can never forget that she is the spiritual continuation of the people with whom, in His mercy and gracious condescension, God made the Old Covenant. The Church, in fact, believes that Christ, who "is our peace," embraces Jews and Gentiles with one and the same love and that He made the two one (see Eph 2:14). She rejoices that the union of these two "in one body" (Eph 2:16) proclaims the whole world's reconciliation in Christ. Even though the greater part of the Jewish people has remained separated from Christ, it would be an injustice to call this people accursed, since they are greatly beloved for the sake the of the Fathers and the promises made to them (see Rom 11:28). The Church loves this people. From them sprang Christ the Lord, wh