On the 60th anniversary of its publishing, the Church has taken time to reflect on Nostra Aetate, the smallest of the Second Vatican Council’s documents urged deeper relationships and understanding of the multiple inter-religious belief.
The document, meaning “In Our Times” was one of the nine declarations published by the Second Vatican Council, and promulgated on 28 October 1965.
While not a dogmatic text, it was the first document in Catholic history to focus on the relationship that Catholics have with Jews and also described the Church's relationship with Muslims.
Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI called it the Magna Carta of the Church’s new attitude and approach to other religions.
To mark the anniversary in Australia, the Bishops Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue has published a booklet of reflections on Nostra Aetate, highlighting its relevance in today's world, where anti-Semitism has on the rise.
“We hope that Nostra Aetate will continue to inspire and to guide Catholics in forging relationships of mutual respect and collaboration with believers from other religions,” commission chair Archbishop Amel Nona said.
The booklet exhorts the Church to engage in dialogue and collaboration with members of other religions and in particular Jewish people with whom is shared a unique bond.
“The coming together of the human family in fraternal love in the name of God is so vital for the survival of humanity,” Archbishop Nona said.
“All of us are made in God’s image and likeness, and share a union which we’ve barely started exploring. May we continue on the path to greater understanding and love, one for another.”
The reflection document can be found here: 60th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate: Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions.