Language:
English
Year of publication:
1994
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Ecumenical Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
31,1-2 (1994) 27-48
Keywords:
Sion, Sisters of
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism 1500-
;
History
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism 1945-
;
History
;
Judaism Relations 1945-
;
Christianity
;
Christian converts from Judaism
Abstract:
The Sisters of Sion, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, was founded by Theodore Ratisbonne (a Jewish apostate) in Strasbourg in 1843 for the express purpose of conversion of the Jews. Between 1843-1882, 373 Jews were baptized. But, the congregation's expansion into boarding schools absorbed most of the sisters' energies. The focus of their prayers was the conversion of the Jews and reparation for their sin of deicide, but their practical work in education had almost no relation to the Jews. The Shoah opened the floodgates of questioning about Sion's relationship with the Jews. Today, the sisters' work and prayers are no longer devoted to the conversion of Jews; instead, they concentrate on promotion of understanding between Christians and Jews. The congregation now numbers ca. 950 members. Quotes from responses to the author's survey of 100 members interviewed in 1991-92 regarding their attitudes to the fundamental changes (since the 1960s) in the aims and practices of the Sisters of Sion.
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