Dear Benedictine College Community,
The Latin Mass Society expresses its disgust and utter disappointment at the contents of the flyer circulated by the so-called Coalition of Catholics Against Jewish Supremacy. The flyer does not reflect in any manner the positions, opinions, or sentiments of the Latin Mass Society. Moreover, the Latin Mass Society reaffirms its fidelity to the entire body of magisterial teaching, including the document Nostra aetate. We condemn any personal attacks upon those affiliated with the recent conference-particularly Dr. Matthew Ramage.
The Latin Mass Society takes issue with many claims in the flyer. Chiefly, we abhor the manifest hatred expressed toward the Jewish people. The document denies their humanity wholesale and insinuates that a significant number of them foment revolution. Furthermore, it claims that simply to engage in dialogue with Jews is to aid and abet the Antichrist, a claim manifestly contrary to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.[1]
The Latin Mass Society not only disagrees with the conclusions of the flyer, but also finds its argumentation faulty and not reflective of true Catholic doctrine. For example, the flyer falsely quotes Pope Pius XII’s document Mystici Corporis Christi as saying that “the New Testament took place [sic] of the Old Testament which had been abolished.” In reality, the document reads, “The New Testament followed after the Old Law, which had been abolished.”[2] Moreover, its citation of the third chapter of St. Paul’s epistle to the Philippians betrays a telling lack of exegetical prowess.
The Latin Mass Society laments any and all harm that comes about as the result of the flyer. We pray that those responsible for it “come to the full knowledge of the truth”[3] and that our community be spared the wounds of division, secure in the bosom of Holy Mother Church.
[1] Nostra aetate, 4. The flyer fails to consider the example of Blessed Peter the Venerable-himself quoted in the document-who lived among and worked alongside Jewish and Muslim scholars.
[2] MCC 29: “Redemptoris morte, LegiVeteri abolitae Novum Testamentum successit.”
[3] 1 Timothy 2:4