***[Nostra Aetate]{.underline}***

**Declaration on the Relationship of the Church's to Non-Christian
Religions**

**40^th^ Anniversary**

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**Celebrating the Need for Continued Interreligious Dialogue and
Tolerance**

**Condemning Anti-Semitism and Religious Bigotry**

On October 28, 1965, after an overwhelming vote of 2221 to 88 by the
bishops of the Catholic Church, Pope Paul VI issued *Nostra Aetate*,
officially known as the Declaration on the Relationship of the Church's
to Non-Christian Religions. *Nostra Aetate*, for the first time in 2,000
years, was an authoritative declaration on Catholic-Jewish relations and
also on Catholic-interfaith relations.

*Nostra Aetate*, 'In Our Time' in English*,* opened the doors for
interfaith dialogue and respect between Catholics and Jews, Hindus,
Buddhists, Muslims, and other traditional religions. It originally began
as a declaration on solely Catholic-Jewish relations but was expanded to
include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other traditional religions. The
declaration that resulted revolutionized attitudes within the Christian
world towards Jews and members of the worlds other religions.

The 40^th^ anniversary of *Nostra Aetate* is a time for all people to
become reacquainted with its historic importance and to work for even
greater religious tolerance and dialogue. In *Nostra Aetate* the
Catholic Church for the first time condemned anti-Semitism and other
forms of religious bigotry. The declaration says 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." It also
deplored "all hatreds, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism directed
against Jews at any time or from any source."

Over the past 40 years, there have been visible triumphs of the spirit
and ideals *of Nostra Aetate*. Pope John Paul II took the message of
*Nostra Aetate* to heart when he visited a synagogue in Rome in 1986,
the first such visit by a Catholic Pope, and again when he visited
Israel in 2000. But we need to ensure we carry this message of religious
tolerance in our own hearts and in our own daily lives. We cannot sit
idly by while anti-Semitic comments are made or other forms of religious
bigotry and hate are spewed forth. We must continue to oppose these
forms of hatred and support continued interreligious dialogue. Forty
years after *Nostra Aetate's* adoption we have a wonderful opportunity
to celebrate the progress that has occurred in religious cooperation and
tolerance and remind ourselves of the work that remains to be done.

To commemorate this historic anniversary of *Nostra Aetat*e, I have
introduced H.Con.Res \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, that:

-   Commemorates the 40th anniversary of *Nostra Aetate*;

-   Celebrates the historic relationship between Jews, Catholics and
    other religions worldwide that has resulted;

-   Expresses the need for continued interreligious dialogue and
    cooperation between all people of all faiths; and

-   Condemns anti-Semitism and encourages the United States to be a
    leader in ending religious intolerance and discrimination worldwide.

For more information or to cosponsor this resolution, please contact
Chris Gaston in Representative Holt's office at 5-5801 or
chris.gaston@mail.house.gov.