Rabbi Asks Pope Benedict Not to Wear Cross at Western Wall

[Bubba Switzler]

A rabbi in Jerusalem has one request for Pope Benedict XVI when he visits the Western Wall in May: Leave the cross at home.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509531,00.html

[Father of 9]

History continues to repeat itself. Jesus remains a "stumbling block" for many Jews and other non-Christians who fail to believe that He is the Son of God. While we must be charitable in our dealings with non-Christians, we must not deny Who Jesus really is.

[Flavius_Aetius]

However, the pope’s predecessor, John Paul II, was seen wearing a cross while praying at the Western Wall in 2000, The Post reported.

What a load of hypocritical poltics on the Rabbi's part...

[lizaanne]

How horribly rude.

~Liza

[Cecilcatholic]

Originally Posted by Father of 9

History continues to repeat itself. Jesus remains a "stumbling block" for many Jews and other non-Christians who fail to believe that He is the Son of God. While we must be charitable in our dealings with non-Christians, we must not deny Who Jesus really is.

Thank you, Father of Nine. Sometimes, I feel I'm the only one who feels a certain way. I appreciate the sharing of your feelings. I took an oath, as a Lutheran many years ago at my First Holy Communion and as a converted Catholic each Easter to renounce evil and all enities of evil. I believe when I say the Creed and the Our Father, and all my daily Rosaries - that I make a testamony of my faith. I, also cannot deny who my Savior is - Christ, Rabbi, Redeemer and Lord. The Happiest of Easter, everyone! Our Savior lives!

[Eucharisted]

Pray for our Jewish brethern.

[Corki]

Originally Posted by Flavius_Aetius

What a load of hypocritical poltics on the Rabbi's part...

Agreed.

"My position is that it is not fitting to enter the Western Wall area with religious symbols, including a cross," said Rabinovitch in a telephone interview with The Jerusalem Post Monday

And yet, have you ever seen a picture of people at the Western Wall where there were no religious symbols? What he evidently objects to is Christian symbols exclusively.

"For the past 42 years, no one has ever been prevented from praying at the Western Wall and, God willing, no one ever will.

and yet the same article states:

In November 2007, he refused to allow a group of Austrian bishops led by the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schonborn, access to the site after the clergymen refused to remove or hide their crosses.

Evidently he does not acknowledge or accept the significance of the Western wall of the temple to Christians - it's not just significant to Jews.

It's a power thing. He doesn't even want to listen to Israeli security regarding arangements for the Pope's visit. He just wants it all his way.

[allhers]

I can't imagine our Holy Father listening to that request. I agree with lizaanne (liza), how horribly rude of that Rabbi to even ask him to. If a Jew did enter a Catholic Church, which they sometimes do, I don't believe anyone would ask him to remove his head covering, and if they did he wouldn't have to. I believe that we would respect the Jewish man enough to know that he believed that he were worshipping God with his head covering on and I believe that they ought to understand that the Cross (Crusifix or Cross) symbolizes our faith in His laying down His life and dying for our salvation.

"Christ be in all hearts thinking about me; Christ be on all tongues telling of me; Christ be the vision in eyes that see me.
In ears that hear me, Christ ever be!!" - Taken from St. Patrick's Breastplate.

[StarMaiden]

Originally Posted by lizaanne

How horribly rude.

~Liza

I agree.

[Holly3278]

Originally Posted by Bubba Switzler

A rabbi in Jerusalem has one request for Pope Benedict XVI when he visits the Western Wall in May: Leave the cross at home.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509531,00.html

How ridiculous. The Pope has every right to wear his cross/crucifix which is a symbol of the Christian faith. To ask the Pope to leave his cross/crucifix behind is just plain ridiculous in my opinion and it shows a lack of respect for another person's religion to make such a demand.

[dixieagle]

Colossal nerve, I say.

Sadly enough, plenty of people will agree, and make a big deal out of it if (when) the Pope does not comply with this astonishingly inappropriate request.

[redrosetea]

Did they aks Pope John Paul II not to wear a cross when he visited this site?

I feel that Catholics are being targeted by some Jews, I want to make this clear I said some..Look at how nasty they have been about Pope Pius canonization

[AdvanceAlways]

Guys please before this gets to be a "Jews persecuting Catholics" discussion, it is just one Rabi. Of course the MSM would pick this story up...It is not like we're dealing with a statement made the Knesset or PM elect-Netanyahu. It is one Rabi out of many.

[Soutane]

What stomach turning chutzpah-the Catholic Church is one of the few friends that Jews can count on in this world.It was a deliberate insult and should be met with the only response it merits-a freezing silence and a complete ignoring of this pharaisical Rabbi.

It brings to mind a situation that happened recently(last year);a priest was carrying a cross in Jerusalem in a procession of the Stations of the Cross and a young Orthodox Jew spat on the cross and got his face soundly slapped by the outraged prelate...this Rabbi deserves a metaphorical slap in the chops at the very least.

[Bubba Switzler]

At the time Rabinovitch told the Post that "crosses are a symbol that hurt Jewish feelings."

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull