These are the words of Malcom Hedding, director of The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
Hedding has joined with those Jewish leaders currently calling on the Vatican to issue a firm and unequivocal repudiation of the outrageous and undignified comments by Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros.
The comment came at the close of the special Catholic Synod of Middle East bishops which concluded last weekend in Rome.
“The Archbishop’s remarks reflect a perilous reversion to classical Replacement theology, which bore such horrific fruits over many centuries for Jews living in the heart of Christian Europe,” said ICEJ Executive Director Rev. Malcolm Hedding.
“The Catholic Church renounced this teaching at the landmark Vatican II conclave, but that important reversal means nothing if they do not now censure senior clerics who so brazenly stray back into the poisonous mindset of contempt for the Jews.”
It is not enough to dismiss this smear as a mere “personal opinion,” Hedding insisted, since the comments were made while Bustros was introducing an official document in his capacity as secretary for the Synod.
“He purported to speak for all the bishops present,” said Hedding. “The Vatican has had several days to respond properly, and cannot allow this calumny to stand.”
Hedding also noted that “rarely have I ever heard Israeli officials resort to the Bible to justify their actions, nor do they cite it as their title deed to the Land of Israel, even though they could rightfully do so. They do, however, point to the Jewish people’s deep historic bond to the land, and the indisputable fact that the Hebrew Patriarchs, prophets and kings all once walked these very hills and plains. It was this unassailable historic connection and claim which persuaded the international community last century to recognize the Jewish people’s right to be reconstituted as a nation in their ancient homeland.”
Hedding added that while he does not intend to give Bible lessons to Catholic Bishops, if there is anything that the New Testament makes clear, it is that the promises of the Abrahamic covenant – including the promise of the land – are irrevocable and were indeed ‘confirmed’ by Christ, rather than nullified by him. (Romans 11:28-29, 15:8-9; Galatians 3:17; Hebrews 6:13-20).
Romans 11:28-29
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Galatians 3:17
What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.
Source: ICEJ.org.
My comment:
Read more about Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros attack on the state of Israel
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M. Hedding is absolutely right. This Catholic Bishop is from Lebanon—what else would he say? It is absurd for the Catholic Church to make such a claim when nothing has been said about the terroist acts against Israel. To follow the UN mandates would require Israel to give up the land they live in now. Palestinians already have the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. What else is there to give? There has never been a Palestinian state. Jerusalem has always been the capitol of Israel. The land was given them by God Himself “forever”. Shame on this Bishop—he doesn’t know his Bible.
Hi dale,
I fully agree with what you wrote for I am a staunch supporter of the Word of God and Israel.
Re. your last sentence: “Shame on this Bishop-he doesn’t know his Bible”
Well, no doubt about that for how can he know the Bible when when he’s never been taught the Bible? He doesn’t worship Jesus but worships another god with its roots in Babylon. The Bible is a Jewish Book and not a Catholic book. It was freely given by Yeshua(Jesus)to the early Christians through the Apostles & disciples. Catholicism and the Torah are like black and white that can never be mixed. Thank You Yeshua(Jesus)for helping many of us to walk in Your light.
Blessings
“M. Hedding is absolutely right. This Catholic Bishop is from Lebanon—what else would he say?” Well, of course, given the many atrocities the Lebanese, who are the most religiously diverse people in the middle east suffered between Israel and Syria. I don’t blame him if he’s a bit anti-Israeli, but I wish his language wasn’t so loaded.
Also, if we’re going to say the Bible allows Israel to do whatever the hell they want as the chosen people (which even some Jews find suspect) then let’s just expand our interpretation a bit more. God not only said that the children of Abraham could have the land, but they had to destroy everyone and make no treaties nor show mercy (Deut. 7:1-2). Further it seems quite Biblical to offer a peace of slavery and if it is thus refused the there ought to be a slaughter of the men with the women and the children going away as the spoils of war (Duet 20:10-17). Though I can see some being fan of stoning disobedient children (Duet 21:18-21), I’m not sure it’s good political policy to offer your daughter as a blood sacrifice in thanks for a military victory (Judges 11:30-39) nor do I think we should express joy at slamming kids against rocks (Psalm 137:9). Maybe, what really needs to happen is for the Vatican to give a fine gift of foreskins from their slain enemies (1Sam 18:25-27) and that would surely secure some kind of peace (just hopefully not the massacre kind).
Getting down to the nitty-gritty now, finally…that Christ SPOKE about Palestine about as Budduh spoke of pizza.
Kings,Nations,Presidents past and present have tried to squash out the very name of Israel but it will never happen. Israel is YHWHs chosen land and the Jewish people (either born or grafted in to the vine through faith in Yahsha HaMashiach) is His chosen people. Words or threats will never change it and if anything, they will further the cause of Yah in restoring Israel as the nation that all other nations will traffic thru to get permission from Yahsha to even exist in the 1000 year reign! Praise YHWH forever!
I am not shocked by this ‘priest’s” (Bustros) comments! I WAS born and raised Roman Catholic BUT Praise God for HIS Salvation into God’s Family with His Son, Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior! Folks, PLEASE, Read History Books and Historical Accounts IF you do not Believe what has been said about Scriptures Standing UP For God’s Chosen People, “Israel” and HIS Favorite Spot on Planet Earth, namely, “Jerusalem!” Catholic Leaders do NOT allow or WANT their people to read the Bible! Saying IT is too hard to understand for anyone less taught than they! How Condemning Those Words Will Be, right Christians! For any comments to come out of a mouth of any person who claims to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and Jehova God, that persecute Israel even in the slightest, is Blasphemy! ! Such men do not follow God but rather Satan, aka “allah”! I am so very proud of Israel and I am so saddened that the devout Roman Catholics who are my family and friends have been Blinded by such satanic forces cloaked in their fancy Robes and majestic “Hats” with their iconic Staffs, which are imports from the Pagan Romans in times of Nero and Constantine, etc! Look at Jesus Christ, Our Savior and OUR EXAMPLE! ! Would HE have men kneel and kiss his ring as a sign of His Authority? NEVER! ! How do I Know that The Pope is also a Fake? Because God, through HIS WORD, Teaches Us How TO LIVE AND WHO TO WORSHIP! ! THE ROMAN Catholics are Blinded BUT they have the same choice of salvation as I did..as anyone has! They choose to follow this sad charade and Jehova God WILL HOLD THEM EACH ACCOUNTABLE! !
“…….even so, come quickly dear God!”….hill