Scary stuff this morning, though. The letter to Diognetus is has a big section on the "superstition" of the Jews, and clearly mocks them for obedience to the Mosaic covenant. I appreciate that one must distinguish Christianity from Judaism, but how can you mock the Old Testament? Almost every line in this section could have been connected to a verse in Deuteronomy or Leviticus.
From the translation available at New Advent:
Actually, this next line made me laugh:
their scrupulosity concerning meats, and their superstition as respects the Sabbaths, and their boasting about circumcision, and their fancies about fasting and the new moons, which are utterly ridiculous and unworthy of notice
And to glory in the circumcision of the flesh as a proof of election, and as if, on account of it, they were specially beloved by God,—how is it not a subject of ridicule?What, did this guy not read the Torah? At ALL!?
I'm really okay with reading this -- it's history, all part of the bad and good that makes up the Church. But I'm feeling a bit concerned about the catechumens in my RCIA class. This was handed out to anyone who wanted it. I sure hope none of them read this and conclude that anti-semitism is okay in the Roman Catholic Church.
Tomorrow I read more of Diognetus. Let's hope it gets better.
By the way, check out the Error Message Generator. Lots o' fun!
3 comments:
Wait, were they given any kind of historical context for the document? Anti-semitism is alive and well in certain sectors of the Church, I'm afraid.
I've never read the letter to Diognetus (in fact must sheepishly admit I don't know who he was) but I'm not surprised to be reminded that the Church spent a good long while articulating these sorts of notions about Judaism. It makes me sad, but it's a good reminder of some of the ugly history between our traditions, and of why many Jews still aren't entirely comfortable with interfaith dialogue.
That said,
What, did this guy not read the Torah? At ALL!?
cracked me RIGHT UP. So thank you; I needed that! (The error message is also awesome.)
Don't feel bad, Rachel, I'd never heard of him either and I've been a catholic all my life. He must be pretty minor.
The Church's bad history shames me, and having read the rest of the letter, it's not a baby/bathwater situation. I don't think there's anything said here that hasn't been said elsewhere. It is kept because of its antiquity, I suspect. It is a great defense to modern critics to show that the Church was pretty much the same back in the year 150 (or whatever) as it is now.
Another Church "Father" who really pains me is Tertullian, who referred to women as the devil's gateway, and sewers (and I don't mean people who sew!), if I recall correctly. I found out that he'd been excommunicated and died excommunicate!! But he's still considered one of the Fathers!!
I don't really get what the requirement is for Father hood, if you see what I mean.
But I think this package needs a warning, particularly since our RCIA candidates - people wanting to join the Church - are reading it.
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