NZ Council of Christians and Jews

Victoria University of Wellington and the Wellington Council of Christians and Jews Present a Public Seminar

Christians Muslims and Jews in the Middle East:
Is religion the problem or the solution?

Rabbi David Rosen
International Co-President, World Council of Religions for Peace
Former President, International Council of Christians and Jews
Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland

8pm, Wednesday 25 November 2009
Council Chamber, Victoria University of Wellington
Moderator: Archbishop John Dew
Chair: Professor Paul Morris

The Spring 2009 issue of Massah, the Journal of the New Zealand Council of Christians and Jews, is now available for download.

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews Presents

From Seelisberg to Berlin and Beyond
A Workshop on Jewish-Christian Relations
With Prof Paul Morris, Religious Studies Department, Victoria University of Wellington

Tuesday 16 June, 7.30pm at

The Wellington Jewish Community Centre
80 Webb St, Wellington

Jews and Christians met at Seelisberg in 1947 in an attempt to forge Jewish Christian co-operation after the Shoah (Holocaust). The International Council for Christians and Jews was created at this meeting and a ten point document, the Ten Points of Seelisberg formed a basis of understanding between Christians and Jews.

Sixty two years later the ICCJ issued a further document, the Twelve Points of Berlin which acknowledges changes and reforms Christians have made in their attitudes to Jews. But in the light of increased anti-Semitic acts in Europe, and local actions at the beginning of the year, have Christians really reformed?

Prof. Paul Morris will begin the evening with an over view of the effect of the Seelisberg document and an analysis of the twelve points of Berlin and we’ll discuss in workshops whether the two documents have affected relationships between Christians and Jews in New Zealand, and what the future might hold for Christian Jewish relations.

The International Council of Christians and Jews has announced its 2009 conference to be held 5-8 July 2009 in Berlin, with the theme “A Time for Recommitment: Jewish-Christian dialogue 70 years after the war and Holocaust”. For programme information:

The Summer 2009 issue of Massah, the Journal of the New Zealand Council of Christians and Jews, is now available for download.

The Executive Board of the ICCJ wishes to express its profound dismay at recent developments in relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Jewish community. The Catholic Church has led the way for many decades in seeking to reverse centuries of dismissive theologies and hostile attitudes toward Jews, promoting honest and open conversation based on mutual respect and equality as co-heirs in covenant.

Ironically, the most recent disturbing event has occurred near the fiftieth anniversary of the summoning of the Second Vatican Council by Blessed Pope John XXIII. We refer to last week’s lifting of the 1988 excommunications of four bishops illicitly consecrated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

We, the members of the Executive Board of the International Council of Christians and Jews, are deeply distressed and saddened by the current round of violence in the Middle East. We have always affirmed our commitment to the survival and security of the State of Israel. At the same time, we grieve for the loss of innocent lives on both sides.

At a Special General Meeting held on 4 December 2008, the council has adopted a revised constitution to bring it into compliance with Charity Commission rules.

The Wellington Council of Christians and Jews is urging their congregants to boycott TV3 for one week starting this Thursday, 8 November. The action is a response to TV3′s airing of “Californication”, in which a nun gives oral sex to a lead character in front of a statue of Christ.