Pope Addresses Jewish Group
11 May 2012 – by Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Reaffirming the
Second Vatican Council’s teaching on Christianity’s special relationship with Judaism, Pope Benedict XVI said Catholic-Jewish dialogue is “crucial for the future of our human family.”
“In a world increasingly threatened by the loss of
spiritual and moral values, which are those that can
guarantee respect for human dignity and lasting peace,” dialogue, friendship and collaboration can “give prophetic witness to the power of the truth of God, justice and reconciling love for the good of all mankind,” the pope said.
Meeting May 10 with a delegation from the Latin
American Jewish Congress, the pope also spoke about the
50th anniversary in October of the opening of the Second
Vatican Council.
He said “Nostra Aetate,” the council’s declaration on the church's relationship with non-Christian religions, “remains the basis and guide in our efforts to promote greater understanding, respect and cooperation between our two communities.”
The document, he said, “not only took a clear
stand against all forms of anti-Semitism, but also laid the
foundations for a new theological evaluation of the
relationship between the church and Judaism and
expressed confidence that the appreciation of the spiritual
heritage shared by Jews and Christians would lead to
greater understanding and mutual respect.”
Thanking God for improved Catholic-Jewish
relations around the world, Pope Benedict said the
communities must continue their commitment to dialogue
because “much remains to be done in overcoming the
burdens of the past, in promoting better relations between
our two communities and in responding to the challenges
facing more and more believers in the world today.”
Tags: Pope Benedict XVI Vatican Interreligious Jews Catholic-Jewish relations