In the forefront of such people are the Jewish people. His successful trip to the Holy Land breached a long-standing gulf between the Church and middle of the road Jewish religionists. The history of Christian anti-Semitism is a wound in the body of the temporal Church. Founded on a false assumption that all Jews were the killers of Christ, Christians conveniently forgot that their own sins were an attack on Christ.

The death of Jesus was the result of a complexity of issues. The fear of the Roman governor, Pilate, that if he did not accede to those who sought the death of Jesus, riots would be provoked and Rome might remove Pilate from his position in favour of a more determined governor. Pilate, to save his job, caved in to the demands for the death of an innocent man "to keep the peace".

The temple rulers, enjoying their authority, were deeply suspicious of anyone speaking publicly to the populace whom they had not authorized. As Jesus traveled around the countryside, large numbers of people were attracted to Him by what He was saying and by his miracle cures. The chief priests, Scribes and Pharisees seeing their own authority challenged did not hear what Jesus was saying. They saw Him as a potential threat and, therefore, had to be silenced.

Jesus popularity was founded, in part, on a misunderstanding by many of his listeners. They were anxious for a messiah, one who would deliver them from bondage under the dreaded and ungodly Romans. They wanted an earthly king, a gifted warrior, a man here and now. They had no vision of immortality. When Jesus told them that his kingdom was not of this world, they did not hear him. Their understanding was blocked by their own agenda.

The Messiah of the Christian Church is one marked with divinity, a messenger from God, Yahweh, who would deliver humankind from the bondage of sin; who would by his death and resurrection, open up the gates of heaven to an eternal existence to all who believed in Him and who were faithful to the Father. The Messiah of the Jews and that of the Christians becomes two different people. The failure to perceive this by both groups contributed to the misunderstanding which lead to anti-Semitism on the part of Christians and ultimately to the persecution of the Jews. On the part of Jews, they were greatly suspicious of Christians. The Jewish people were concerned with their own faith and survival. The Christian Church was bent on proselytizing and, at certain times, forced conversions.

The history of anti-Semitism is founded on the attitude of the Christian Church toward the Jews. A remarkable fact about Pope John Paul s apology and plea for forgiveness for the sins of the Christian Church against the Jews during the 2000 years of her history, is not only the recognition of official anti-Semitism, but the public about face which his apology achieves. The sight of the pope at the Western wall placing his written plea for forgiveness in a crack in the wall spoke volumes, especially to the Jewish people. It was a visible sign of the sincerity of his words given that the wall is the most sacred place for Jews today. The way is open now for Jews and Christians to find a new modus vivendi.

Together Jews and Christians, respecting each other s position, can work together for peace not only in the Middle East, but elsewhere. Anti-Semitism is a well-rooted virus among Christian people. It will not be overcome simply by the pope s admission of its existence. His action closes a sad chapter in the history of the church; now both Jews and Christians will have to work to open up the future for a favorable co-existence. The Jews have a serious challenge in overcoming the anti-Christian attitude of some of its fundamentalist co-religionists. The Christian Church must continue to work toward a proper understanding of the Jewish people, their hopes and aspirations.

The historic importance of the actions of Pope John Paul II is inestimable. He has opened the way to hope in the 21^st century, not only because of his rapprochement with the Jewish people, but with others as well. His plea on behalf of the Palestinian people is an important action stemming from the pope s belief in the brotherhood of man, the right to independence and to have a land of one s own. The pope has handed the world an opportunity to find a way to peace by putting aside ancient antagonisms. Whether we grasp hold of the initiative he has handed to the world, only time will tell. It will be an even sorrier world if we fail to do so.

Rev. Msgr. Barry Egan-Jones

Montreal, Canada

Easter 2000.