Nostra Aetate

Nostra Aetate

The Roman Catholic Church has had a tumultuous relationship with other religions, Christian and non-Christian alike. Although many of these conflicts, prejudices, and acts of hatred occurred hundreds and even thousands of years ago, the resulting “bad blood” was unfortunately still prevalent in the 20th century. Nostra Aetate served to combat these feelings of animosity. Even the title serves that purpose. “Nostra Aetate” is Latin for “In our Age.” The entirety of the document strives to modernize the feelings of Catholics, and dispel the interreligious hatred and grudges over occurrences that are now so obsolete.

Nostra Aetate proclaims first and foremost how the similarities between all people greatly outnumber the differences. In this day and age, social groups, schools, occupations, and even marriages are not restricted to a single race, religion, or socioeconomic status. In the 20th century, interracial and interreligious friendships, business partnerships, marriages, and social relationships in general were becoming more common. Fellowship between these different groups of people was a source of controversy for some Catholics who believed that this type of interaction was sinful or inappropriate. For example, before Vatican II, Catholics were not allowed to attend non-Catholic or even non-Christian religious services or ceremonies. The introductory paragraph of Nostra Aetate addresses these relationships, commenting, “The ties between different people are becoming stronger.” Thankfully, it does not denounce these ties. The quest for interreligious and international peace and fellowship begins with acknowledgement of our similarities.

It is the Catholic belief that all people come from God, and are made in God’s image. We are stewards of the earth, called together to live in unity and peace. When God created Adam and Eve, he did not intend for their ancestors to be divided by simple deviations in religious beliefs and practices....