Recently, an article was posted by a Jewish blogger about the Good Friday prayer. In it, the author takes an approach that seems reasonable and fair for a Jew who does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah. He didn't attack the Pope, in fact, he defended the Holy Father, calling him "enlightened." He also conveyed a sound understanding that Catholics have every right to pray for the conversion of any people, Jewish or not:
"I think it is inappropriate for Jews to attempt to place limits on Catholic prayers or beliefs."
He went on to admonish those Jews who have come forth with "wildly unfair" criticisms and complaints in reaction to the new prayer and quoted extensively from a letter written by Dr. David Berger that brought to light the fact that Jews pray similarly for the conversion of those who do not believe in the God of the Torah. (There are some interesting comments in reaction to this letter, with a strong majority of Jewish people standing behind the contention that Catholics should not have their liturgical matters interfered with by non-Catholics. One of the only strong dissenters from this view was even been admonished by his fellow Jews...something not likely to receive recognition at CAI/BTF.)
In short, the author of the blog clearly seems to be a reasonable man of good will.
And this author singled out Robert Sungenis (along with two others) as being in stark contrast to the Holy Father:
"I believe in both freedom of religion and speech...(although the beliefs of Bishop Richard Williamson, Robert Sungenis, and Mel Gibson seem all too well represented among some Catholic rank-and-file.)"
While we firmly believe the prejudiced views to which this author refers are not well represented in the Church except at the extremes of the Traditionalist movement (Bishop Williamson and Mel Gibson who, in spite of creating The Passion of the Christ, has some problematic leanings) and perhaps in a few odd pockets (like CAI/BTF), such perceptions and concerns are understandable.
Clearly, Sungenis has given legitimate ammunition to those who fear the Church and portray it as anti-Semitic. As such, if he genuinely hopes that Jewish people come to Christ, as he claims to, the best thing he can do is to be silent on Jewish issues, as his bishop has directed, and pray for them.
