Jews Urge Papal Peace Plea in Jerusalem

American and international Jewish leaders urged Pope John Paul II on Thursday to go to Jerusalem to pray “against the scourge of terrorism and war” as a follow-up to his interfaith prayers for peace last week in Assisi.

The leaders raised the subject with the Pope in a private audience after the Second International Catholic-Jewish Theological Colloquium, one of a series of meetings aimed at improving relations between the two faiths.

Speaking for the Jewish leaders and scholars who attended the three-day meeting, the American director of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, Nathan Perlmutter, reminded the pontiff of the ravages of international terrorism.

‘Scourge of Terrorism’

“Perhaps what is needed in addition to a Day of Prayer for Peace (at Assisi) is a day in which we contemplate the evil of terrorism,” the New York-based Jewish leader said. “And as the site for such prayers against the scourge of terrorism and war, where more appropriate than the City of Peace, Jerusalem? And led by whom, more appropriately, than by your prophetic voice of peace?”

The Vatican had no immediate comment on the proposal, and other members of the Jewish group who were present for the audience said that the Pope did not respond directly to Perlmutter’s plea.

However, Rabbi Leon Klenicki, director of the Anti-Defamation League’s interfaith department, said John Paul appeared to be pleased.

“He didn’t say anything, but his face expressed pleasure at the idea of going to pray in Jerusalem for peace,” Klenicki said.

Doubts Expressed

Vatican officials expressed doubt privately that the pontiff would consider a visit to Jerusalem, which Israel has declared its capital, because it might be seen as recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the historic city. Because Jerusalem has religious significance to the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, the Vatican believes that the city should be under international supervision and has refused diplomatic recognition to Israel.

In his remarks to the Jewish leaders and scholars from Israel, Europe and the United States, John Paul stuck to the theme of salvation and redemption, the subject of their theological talks.

“Honoring our respective traditions, theological dialogue based on sincere esteem can contribute greatly to mutual knowledge of our respective patrimonies of faith,” the pontiff said. “We have here a bond which, notwithstanding our differences, makes us brethren.”

Representative Honored

The Pope paid a singular honor to one of the Jewish representatives, an 80-year-old Polish-American who has worked almost steadily since World War II to bring about greater understanding between Roman Catholics and Jews.

He named Dr. Joseph Lichten a knight commander of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, an honor usually reserved for Roman Catholics as a recognition of distinguished service to the church. It was only the second time that a Jew has been so honored.

Lichten, who represents the Anti-Defamation League in Rome, was an active observer of the Second Vatican Council, which initiated the present Catholic-Jewish dialogue, and has met several times with John Paul in the course of his work here.

Works for Understanding

“I think I was chosen because I spent a good part of my life in the United States and in Rome working for closer understanding and better cooperation between the Catholic and Jewish communities,” Lichten said after his investiture in the papal order.