Vatican statement soon on prayer for the Jews

Report from CWN

"Rabbi Rosen, who said that he has seen a draft of the clarifying statement, said that reassurance on that point would repair any problems in Catholic-Jewish relations. It should be understood, he said, that the Good Friday prayer "certainly in no way compromises the Church's total opposition to proselytizing."

Proselytes were originally converts to Judaism.

There are three references in the Bible

Exodus 12.49
The same law shall be to him that is born in the land, and to the proselyte that sojourneth with you.

Matthew 23.15
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves.

Acts 6.5
And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

The term is best avoided in modern discussions as its use reflects badly on both sides. Perhaps all the Vatican is doing is rejecting the zeal of the convert for new converts. Fascinating background here.

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