A Catholic Church in Texas is facing criticism from concerned parishioners for hosting Jewish celebrations overseen by a rabbi who is on the board of Austin's Planned Parenthood.

Church members have also expressed dismay at the redecoration of the parish's sanctuary for the Jewish liturgical celebrations - which includes the Star of David being placed over the tabernacle.

EWTN News was recently contacted by parishioners from St. Louis Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, who said that a Jewish Reform congregation by the name of Temple Beth Shalom will be using church facilities to host a series of High Holy Day celebrations Sept. 4 - 18.

In a message to participants, Rabbi Alan Freedman, who serves on the board of Planned Parenthood in Austin, said that a dialogue will also be held with Fr. Larry Covington, pastor of St. Louis.

At this year's events, “our focus at the High Holy Days will be improving rather than perfecting the way that we live our lives,” Rabbi Freedman wrote. “God asks us not for perfection but rather that we use this time to move further along on the path of righteousness.”

“This will be the topic that Father Larry Covington and I will discuss in a dialogue entitled 'Choosing the Path of Righteousness',” he added. “In that dialogue, we will be sharing Jewish and Christian perspectives on what it means to live a life of a tzaddik, a righteous and just person.”

EWTN News contacted St. Louis parish on two separate occasions for comment but did receive a response.


EWTNNEWS.COM