APOSITIVE stand against anti-semitism is likely to be adopted by Vatican Council Fathers later this session. A document. prepared by Cardinal Bea's Christian Unity Secretariat. has been circulated to the Bishops. It will form part of the Schema on ecumenism which is next on the Council's agenda.
The draft, entitled "The Attitude of Catholics towards Non -Christians, particularly towards the Jews", has taken two years to prepare. A statement from the Secretariat says that it is entirely religious in its content and spiritual in its purpose.
"It is out of an ever-growing appreciation of the Church's sacred heritage that the Council pays attention to the Jews. not as a race or a nation, but as the Chosen of the Old Testament", the statement adds.
-The clear and unequivocal language of the text gives the Secretariat confidence that no other motive will be read into it than that of the all-embracing love of the late Pope John who himself had wished that the theme be prepared for the Council Fathers",
SALVATION The draft deals first with the deep bond that ties the Church to the Chosen People of the Old Testament. According to God's merciful design, the Church has its roots in the covenant made by God with Abraham and his descendants.
This plan of salvation for all mankind finds its culmination in the coming of Jesus Christ. San of David and descendant of Abraham according to the flesh. Through Him the divine call first given to the Chosen People of old is extended through His Church to the entire world.
A second point that draft makes Continued on back page, foot of cols. 5 and 6