ADL has long been a leader during the past 30 years in bringing Christians of all denominations to a clearer understanding of Judaism and of how anti-Semitic notions have been insinuated into their own religious beliefs.

CELAM

In the fall of 1997 an ADL delegation, organized by the Interfaith Affairs Department, visited the members of CELAM -- the Latin-American Bishops Conference -- the umbrella organization of all Latin American Nation Catholic Conferences. As a result of this meeting, a joint statement was issued that condemned anti-Semitism in the Middle East and Latin America -- particularly Argentina -- as well as patterns of anti-Catholicism. The declaration was distributed to 800 Bishops and Cardinals in South America as well as to Vatican officials. The groups also pledged interfaith cooperation.

IN WASHINGTON, DC "Bearing Witness: Anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and Contemporary Issues" combines the resources and expertise of ADL, the Archdiocese of Washington and the U.S. Holocaust Museum. James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, said the program helps students "understand the true horror of the Holocaust and. . . overcome anti-Semitism and other forms of prejudice." IN HOUSTON ADL's Southwest Regional Office created "Coalition for Mutual Respect" with 14 key business, religious and community leaders committed to the ideals of promoting harmonious intergroup and interfaith relations. Working with Houston's mayor, ADL's "Coalition" helps encourage interfaith pulpit exchanges and youth-oriented education programs to celebrate the city's diverse racial, religious and ethnic heritage during the annual "Houston: A Community of Respect Month" every October.

RESOURCES

Letter from Europe. "The Vatican's Symposium on Anti-Semitism and the Church's Anticipated Holocaust Document." This issue, prepared by ADL's Correspondent in Rome, examines the first gathering of Christian scholars and theologians at the Vatican to discuss anti-Judaism and Catholicism. It also discusses the Church's expected document on the Holocaust and anti-Semitism.