08-10-2007, 02:31 PM
Cardinal Lustiger in his own words
By Joanna Sugden--TIMESONLINE
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, the only Jewish-born bishop in France in modern times, died on Sunday, (5 August 2007) aged 80. He converted to Catholicism during the German occupation of France in the Second World War when he was 14. Having read the Bible in secret as a child he later said it felt as if he was "reading something he already knew". As a high-profile Jewish convert he faced opposition from Israel's Chief Rabbi who said he had betrayed his people and his religion, but he held firm to the belief that his conversion was not a rebellion but a fulfilment of his calling as a Jew. The Pope praised the Cardinal, who was Archbishop of Paris for 25 years, yesterday saying he was a "great figure" who spent his life trying to improve relations between Catholics and Jews.
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger
On his conversion
“I was born Jewish and so I remain,
even if that's unacceptable for many.
For me, the vocation of Israel is bringing light to the goyim.
That's my hope and I believe that Christianity is the means for achieving it.”
On Jewish and Christian relations
"It is impossible for a Christian to be a Christian ... without the Jewish people."
"What Christians believe, they got through the Jews.”
“Jews and Christians are the guardians of the revelation of the Only One God and of his design to bring all humans together one day.”
“Christianity is the fruit of Judaism."
Read it all--Cardinal Lustiger in his own words
Tribute: The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just. Psalm 37:30
P.S. There was much speculation that Cardinal Lustiger would be the next pope
because of St Malachy's prophecy for the pope after John Paul II--"The glory of the Olive".
The olive tree represents Israel and Cardinal Lustiger being a Jewish Cardinal
seemed a likely candidate to fit the prophecy.
By Joanna Sugden--TIMESONLINE
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, the only Jewish-born bishop in France in modern times, died on Sunday, (5 August 2007) aged 80. He converted to Catholicism during the German occupation of France in the Second World War when he was 14. Having read the Bible in secret as a child he later said it felt as if he was "reading something he already knew". As a high-profile Jewish convert he faced opposition from Israel's Chief Rabbi who said he had betrayed his people and his religion, but he held firm to the belief that his conversion was not a rebellion but a fulfilment of his calling as a Jew. The Pope praised the Cardinal, who was Archbishop of Paris for 25 years, yesterday saying he was a "great figure" who spent his life trying to improve relations between Catholics and Jews.
Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger
On his conversion
“I was born Jewish and so I remain,
even if that's unacceptable for many.
For me, the vocation of Israel is bringing light to the goyim.
That's my hope and I believe that Christianity is the means for achieving it.”
On Jewish and Christian relations
"It is impossible for a Christian to be a Christian ... without the Jewish people."
"What Christians believe, they got through the Jews.”
“Jews and Christians are the guardians of the revelation of the Only One God and of his design to bring all humans together one day.”
“Christianity is the fruit of Judaism."
Read it all--Cardinal Lustiger in his own words
Tribute: The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just. Psalm 37:30
P.S. There was much speculation that Cardinal Lustiger would be the next pope
because of St Malachy's prophecy for the pope after John Paul II--"The glory of the Olive".
The olive tree represents Israel and Cardinal Lustiger being a Jewish Cardinal
seemed a likely candidate to fit the prophecy.