There are some "theological reasons" that do not allow the Catholic Church to "convert" Jewish people. They are explained by Joseph Sievers, director of the Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies of the Pontifical Gregorian University, who explained to the SIR why some rabbi leaders had opposed the decision of the Chief Rabbi of Haifa Shear-Yashuv Cohen to attend the bishops’ synod on the Word of God in October. They think the dialogue with the Catholic Church is a mere pretext to convince the Jews to become Christian: "not only for present reasons but also, and more precisely, for theological reasons, we can say that Jews are called by God and try to go ahead following this call," Mr Sievers explained. "Accordingly, we cannot tell them where they have to go. And this shows why the Church is not trying to convert them. The Church is respectful of God’s call to them and above all of God’s fidelity to the Jewish people, that is for sure".
