Expert: Edward Bode - 4/10/2005

Question
Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the light and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. There are myriad other Scriptural passages proclaiming the necessity of conversion for salvation. For 2000 years the Church has taught that the Old Covenant is past, and that even Jews must convert. How could this past Pope, and many bishops, now teach that the Old Covenant is still in effect, that the Jews are still entitled to the Holy Land and that Judaism is just as valid a means of salvation as Christianity? Is this not rank heresy?

Answer
I am sorry, Andrew, that I cannot be of much help on your question.  I must have missed the matters to which you refer -- recent ideas of Pope and bishops concerning salvation for Jews.
I checked the Second Vatican Council [Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions; paragraph 4] and The Catholic Catechism [including paragraphs 846-8, which deal with the necessity of the Church for salvation] without finding something specifically related to your question.
I do not think that the political legitimacy of Israel depends on the continuation of the Mosaic covenant.
I recall that St. Paul talks about an ultimate converstion of the Jews.  
If you could provide me with more information about your concern, I might be able to formulate some further thoughts.