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Vatican approves catechism change on Jewish covenant

Published: August 31, 2009

The Vatican has given its "recognitio" to a change in the new edition of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults that seeks to clarif Catholic teaching on God's covenant with the Jews.

The USCCB reports that the first version, in explaining relations with the Jews, stated, "Thus the covenant that God made with the Jewish people through Moses remains eternally valid for them."

The revised text states, "To the Jewish people, whom God first chose to hear his Word, ‘belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ.' (Romans 9: 4-5; cf. CCC, no 839)

The change was approved by the US bishops following the bishops' 2008 June meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The clarification is not a change in the Church's teaching, a USCCB statement says.

"The clarification reflects the teaching of the Church that all previous covenants that God made with the Jewish people are fulfilled in Jesus Christ through the new covenant established through his sacrificial death on the cross. Catholics believe that the Jewish people continue to live within the truth of the covenant God made with Abraham, and that God continues to be faithful to them.

"As the Second Vatican Council taught and the Adult Catechism affirms, the Jewish people 'remain most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts he makes nor of the calls he issues.' (Lumen Gentium, no.16)."

The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults was approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November 2004 as a basic and concise introduction to the Catholic faith. It is a catechetical text rather than a theological textbook.

A "recognitio" is a statement from the Vatican that a document is in keeping with Catholic teaching.

FULL STORY @

U.S. Bishops get Vatican ‘Recognitio' for Change in Adult Catechism (USCCB)

 

 

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  1. The Jewish people believe the land of Israel is theirs because God gave it to them through Moses. Is it not true to say that this gift of land came to an end with the new covenant established by Jesus Christ with his passion and death on the cross? The USCCB say that "Catholics believe the Jewish people continue to live within the truth of the covenant God made with Abraham" - but then they say "previous covenants that God made with the Jewish people are fulfilled in Jesus Christ". Isn't this a contradiction?

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