Posted on: Saturday, January 25, 2003

Vatican transfers Jewish studies

Associated Press

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican said this week it was closing its center for Jewish studies in Jerusalem and moving it to Rome — a move that has been criticized by some Jewish teachers as sending a negative signal about relations between Christians and Jews.

The Pontifical Ratisbonne Institute is being incorporated into the Gregorian University in Rome for financial and other reasons.

"Beyond serious academic concerns, severe, intractable and increasing financial problems of several years' standing necessitate a change of venue for what should be the Catholic Church's premier program in Jewish studies, where it can enjoy more appropriate quality and financial security," said a Vatican statement published Thursday.