[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 25792-25793]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 260 which was 
received from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 260) recognizing the 
     40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's promulgation 
     of Nostra Aetate, the declaration on the relation of the 
     Roman Catholic Church to non-Christian religions, and the 
     historic role of Nostra Aetate in fostering mutual 
     interreligious respect and dialogue.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise to strongly encourage my 
colleagues in the Senate to support this resolution recognizing the 
40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the 
Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, and 
the continuing need for mutual interreligious respect and dialogue.
  October 28, 2005 marked the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, which 
means ``in our time.'' On October 28, 1965, Nostra Aetate affirmed the 
respect of the Roman Catholic Church for Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and 
Judaism, and called upon all Catholics to engage in dialogue and 
cooperation with the followers of other religions. Nostra Aetate states 
that the Roman Catholic Church, moved by the Gospel's spiritual love, 
decries hatred, persecution, and displays of anti-Semitism directed at 
Jews at any time and by anyone. As stated in the resolution, Nostra 
Aetate marked a new relationship between Catholics and Jews worldwide 
and opened a chapter in Jewish-Christian relations that is 
unprecedented in its closeness and warmth.
  With Nostra Aetate, Pope John Paul VI called on all Catholics not 
only to decry the persecution of people of non-Christian religions, but 
also to love and respect them.
  As it is stated in a passage from Nostra Aetate: ``In our time, when 
day by day mankind is being drawn closer together, and the ties between 
different peoples are becoming stronger, the Church examines more 
closely its relationship to non-Christian religions. In her task of 
promoting unity and love among men, indeed among nations, she considers 
above all in this declaration what men have in common and what draws 
them to fellowship. . . . Men expect from the various religions answers 
to the unsolved riddles of the human condition, which today, even as in 
former times, deeply stir the hearts of men: What is man? What is the 
meaning, the aim of our life? What is moral good, what sin? Whence 
suffering and what purpose does it serve? Which is the road to true 
happiness? What are death, judgment and retribution after death? What, 
finally, is that ultimate inexpressible mystery which encompasses our 
existence: whence do we come, and where are we going?''
  Nostra Aetate acknowledges that all people of all religions are 
united by the fact that we are all searching for the answers to the 
most basic questions about life and God, and that we must love and 
respect one another, despite our differences.
  The message of Nostra Aetate is of particular importance today, 
amidst the conflict in the Middle East and terrorism in the name of 
Islam. As we continue the battle against the rise in anti-Semitism, 
prejudice against Muslims, and all other forms of intolerance and 
xenophobia, both internationally and within the United States, we must 
remember the value of this message that calls for interreligious 
respect, tolerance, and dialogue and decries all forms of hatred.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating to the concurrent 
resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 260) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.

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