The Holocaust, Never to Be Forgotten : Reflections on the Holy See's Document We Remember

On March 6, 1998, the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with Jews issued a document entitled We Remember: A reflection on the Shoah. This was an important statement for the Roman Catholic Church that acknowledged not only the tragic historical reality of the Holocaust, but responsibility for the Christian anti-Semitism that contributed to its happening. This document was the recipient of wide praise, some disappointment and much controversy.

This small volume brings together the statement itself, Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy's reflection of its history and the controversy surrounding its appearance and two reflections by highly respected theologians in the Catholic-Jewish dialogue. Jesuit theologian Avery Dulles has written prolifically on the foundations of the Christian faith, while Rabbi Leon Klenicki has been productive on the fundamental principles that must govern Jewish-Christian interfaith relations.

There is no better place for this document and reflections to appear than in the enduring and well-respected Stimulus Books series, which is dedicated to topics of vital interest to the Jewish-Christian dialogue. This moving, insightful and inspirational book will be a further step forward in the dialogue.

Avery Dulles, S.J., who holds an S.T.D. from the Gregorian University, is the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham University.

Leon Klenicki is director of the department of interfaith affairs of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith.