What is the Roman Catholic Church's opinion on Zionism?

Question

'www.scripturecatholic.com' calls Zionism "an anti-Catholic movement which seeks to remove the Church as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies".

However, 'www.catholic.com' is much more accepting of Zionism.

So, what is the Vatican's offical position (if there is one) regarding Zionism?

Answer 1

+ Judaism +

The Catholic Church officially teaches:

When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People, "the first to hear the Word of God.

The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant.

To the Jews "belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ"; "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."

Neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accursed as if this followed from Holy Scripture.

+ Zionism +

Zionism is a political movement that supports a homeland for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel.

I cannot find any Catholic Church position for or against Zionism.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I don't think there is one, honestly, but in all truth there's no question of a Jewish state because it now exists. Zionism in 1947 meant something different (the founding of Israel as a modern, sovereign nation) than it does today. Contemporary usage means anything along a spectrum from the right of Israel to exist (since the Vatican maintains diplomatic ties with Israel, I'd assume this point is supported) to the manifest destiny of Israel to be a Jews-only state much expanded in the region (probably not supported given the violence necessary).

I think the official position is for everyone to get along, that nations have the right to protect their citizenry, but the exploitation of human beings (ie permanent refugee camps) is considered immoral.

On that note, anyone know if the Vatican actually does have an embassy in Jerusalem? I may have made that up.

Answer 3

while i have looked through the vatican website and such -- i see nothing in particular that stands out in regards to zionism in particular : Since the founding of the State of Israel, the term "Zionism" is generally considered to mean support for Israel as a Jewish nation state. However, a variety of different, and sometimes competing, ideologies that support Israel fit under the general category of Zionism, such as Religious Zionism, Revisionist Zionism, and Labor Zionism. Thus, the term is also sometimes used to refer specifically to the programs of these ideologies, such as efforts to encourage Jewish emigration to Israel.

in respect my own opinion -- pope john paul 2 went to isreal, wailing wall and tried to bring a movement of peace. he apologized for the atrocities of the holocust and teh fact they didn't do more to help right away and things as such. the Rcc holds the Jewish people "[God] chose the Israelite race to be his own people and established a covenant with it." however they did not and do not recognize Jesus as the Saviour discussed throughou thte old testament and ISiah in particular. we are taught to pray for them so they can see Jesus for all He is to and for us.
zionism IMO is more about the land and the Jews authority OVER the land.... i do not believe the Rcc as a whole has an opinion one way or antother, however to the Jewish people as a whole -- Jesus Christ and all those before Him were Jews.... they are our brothers and sisters and God's chosen people.

Answer 4

Pastor Billy says: see my best answers list and look for my previous response on Zionism.

What Zionism isn't

1. it isn't a religious system
2. it isn't required by Christianity
3. it isn't an end time prophecy
4. it isn't the answer for Israel or the Middle East
5. it isn't in the bible
6. it isn't a promise of God as all the promises made Old Covenant Peoples has already been fulfilled.
7 it isn't required for any Catholic Christian to believe in

Answer 5

Zionism is basically those who believe god promised Jews the Promised Land. Zionists are mostly Jews that believe this, but not all zionists are Jews and not all Jews are zionists.

Iran's president isn't really anti-semitic, because he condemns Zionism and not the Jewish people. It is believed by some that Israel's founding is due to Zionism.

Edit: Also Zionism believes the Jew is the supreme race. Think of Zionists metaphorically like white supremists.

Answer 6

I don't think that there is an official Church position on Zionism, but the opinions of many top Church officials are negative towards it.

Answer 7

zionism is simply an israeli state. The christian chuch accepts that the jews are the chosen people of God and always will be. Gentiles are grafted in not originally chosen. Some of God's promises only apply to israel (the promise of the land for instance). As Gods people christians see the jewish people as specially priveleged and we are special in that we are their ally.

Answer 8

Zionism is itself pretty vague, so you're asking for an opinion on a loaded and vague term.

Answer 9

Political correctness. I've never heard anyone explain that clearly. "I'm a progressive socialist, but I think Jews stink...but I'm really not a rascist. I just hate Israel. OR I think I hate Israel."

Typical liberal nuttiness.

Answer 10

Are you sure about those facts