A Catholic understanding of Judaism: Recent magisterial documents

The Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate ) marked a decisive turning point in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish People. The fourth chapter of that document laid the foundations for a new encounter between Catholics and Jews based on a deeper understanding of the spiritual bond that unites Christianity to Judaism. This new perspective on the relationship between Christians and Jews has led to a new understanding of Judaism in the Catholic Church, as reflected in some of the Church's recent magisterial documents. This thesis offers a systematic review of four recent magisterial documents of the Catholic Church on Jews and Judaism, as well as related teachings by Pope John Paul II, toward uncovering this emerging understanding of Judaism in the Catholic Church today.