8.65. Didn’t Vatican II teach that the Jews are still God’s chosen people and don’t need to convert to be saved?
For nearly 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has taught—based on Scripture, Tradition, and divine revelation—that the Jews, having rejected Christ, have forfeited their covenant, and that the Catholic Church is now the New Israel, the one ark of salvation. Jews, like all non-Catholics, must convert to the Catholic Faith to be saved.
But since Vatican II, especially through Nostra Aetate (§4) and subsequent actions of the conciliar “popes,” the Church’s position on the Jews has been reversed. Now we are told that the Jews are still in covenant with God, that they do not need to believe in Christ, and that efforts to convert them are no longer necessary—or even “anti-Semitic.”
This is heresy. It contradicts the Gospels, the Epistles of St. Paul, the witness of the martyrs, and the dogmatic teaching of the Church. Below is a comparison between the true Catholic doctrine regarding the Jews and the Vatican II Jewish heresy.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Teaching | Vatican II / Novus Ordo Teaching | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| People of God | The Catholic Church is the New Israel, the true People of God | The Jews are still honored as God’s chosen people | This denies the Church’s identity and the fulfillment of the Old Covenant |
| Old Covenant | Superseded and abolished by the New Covenant in Christ’s Blood | Still considered valid and salvific for the Jews | Heretical “dual-covenant theology” condemned by the Church |
| Salvation | Jews must convert to Christ and enter the Church to be saved | Jews can be saved without conversion to Christ | Contradicts *Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus* and John 3:18 |
| View of the Talmud | Contains blasphemies against Christ; condemned by saints and popes | Never condemned; post-conciliar popes visited synagogues and praised rabbinic tradition | Modern Rome flatters enemies of Christ instead of correcting them |
| Evangelization | Jews must be evangelized and baptized, like all unbelievers | Evangelization of Jews is discouraged or condemned | Directly contradicts the mission of the Apostles and martyrs |
| Responsibility for the Crucifixion | Jews as a people rejected and crucified the Messiah (1 Thess. 2:14–15) | *Nostra Aetate* §4 says Jews “should not be blamed” for the death of Christ | This denies both Scripture and the Fathers, who spoke clearly and boldly |
| Role in Salvation History | Jews were custodians of the Old Law but lost their privileges by rejecting Christ | Modern Judaism seen as part of God’s ongoing salvific plan | This error glorifies apostasy and denies the finality of Christ |
| Liturgical Practice | Feast of the Circumcision, conversion of St. Paul, and Good Friday prayers for Jewish conversion | Good Friday prayer changed to remove language of conversion | Liturgical changes reflect theological compromise and heresy |
| Fruits | Jewish conversions: saints, martyrs, clergy | Jewish flattery: no conversions, theological confusion | “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:16) |
Summary:
The Catholic Church has always taught that the Jews must convert. Their rejection of the Messiah was foretold in Scripture, and their conversion—as individuals, not as a nation—is still the will of God.
The New Covenant has replaced the Old; the Church is the New Israel; and outside the Church there is no salvation.
Vatican II’s teaching on the Jews—especially in Nostra Aetate §4—is a betrayal of Christ, a rejection of the Apostles, and a denial of the Catholic Faith. No true pope could teach that the Old Covenant remains valid or that Jews are not obligated to convert.
As Pope Eugene IV declared:
“The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes, and preaches that all those who are outside the Catholic Church… whether Jews or heretics or schismatics, cannot share in eternal life…”