CATHOLIC-JEWISH STATEMENT ON HUMAN LIFE, FAMILY VALUES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 4, 2003 (VIS) - After a preliminary meeting in Jerusalem on June 5, 2002, high ranking delegations of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel met in Grottaferrata near Rome February 23-27, 2003, according to a joint communique made public yesterday afternoon by the delegations.

The communique, in English and dated February 26, was signed by Rabbi Shar Yishav Cohen, chairman of the Jewish Delegation and by Cardinal Jorge Mejia, chairman of the Catholic delegation. Others who signed included Rabbi Ratzon Arrusi, Rabbi David Brodman, Oder Wiener and Shmuel Hadas for the Jewish delegation, and Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Fr. George Cottier, O.P., Fr. Elias Shacour, Msgr. Pier Francesco Fumagalli, Fr. Norbert Hofmann, S.D.B. and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio in Israel, for the Catholic delegation.

"We are dialoguing as people of faith having common spiritual roots and patrimony. Dialogue is a value in itself and excludes any intention of converting," noted the statement. "We take into account our different traditions and respect each other in our otherness."

Following are selections on the topics of the sanctity of human life and family values from the statement:

"The Sanctity of Human Life. Human life is of unique and highest value in our world. Any attempt to destroy human life must be rejected, and every common effort should be made, in order to promote human rights, solidarity among all human beings, respect for freedom of conscience."

"Our common religious motivation for this central affirmation is based on the biblical statement that the human being is created in the image of the living God, in His likeness. God is the Holy One and the Creator of human life, and the human being is blessed and obliged by His holiness. Therefore every human life is holy, sacrosanct and inviolable."

"To protect human life is an evident ethical consequence of this conviction. Every believer, particularly religious leaders, should cooperate in protecting human life. Any attack against the life of a human being runs contrary to the will of God, is a desecration of God's Name, directly opposed to the teaching of the prophets. Taking any human life, including one's own, even in the name of God, is sacrilegious."

"As was emphasized time and again by Pope John Paul II in his message for the World Day of Peace 2002, no religious leader can condone terrorism (anywhere) in the world. It is a profanation of religion to declare oneself a terrorist in the name of God, to do violence to others in his name. Terrorist violence everywhere in the world is a contradiction of faith in God, the Creator of man, who cares for man and loves him."

"We should not admit any killing in the name of God who commands 'You shall not kill', avoiding fanatical or violent abuse of religion, as Jewish, Christian and Moslem leaders declared in the common statement of Alexandria (January 2002)."

"All educators should strengthen their efforts in devising programmes to educate the young in respect for the highest value of human life. Against the present trend of violence and death in our societies, we should foster our cooperation with believers of all religions and all people of good will in promoting a 'culture of life'."

"Family Life. The institution of the family stems from the will of the Almighty who created human being in the image of God; 'male and female He created them'. Marriage in a religious perspective has a great value because God blessed this union and sanctified it."

"Family and home unity provides a warm and protecting surrounding that nurtures children and ensures their proper education, in keeping with tradition and beliefs. The family unit is the basis for a wholesome society."

"Doubtless the electronic and media revolution has brought about positive changes in society. However, at the same time too often, a negative influence on behavior of society has developed. Adults and the young alike are exposed to distorted and perverted aspects of life, such as violence and pornography. As religious leaders we are challenged by these destructive developments."

"More than ever, we are obliged to educate at home and in the school towards family values, following our rich religious traditions. Parents should devote much more time to show their love to their children and guide them towards positive attitudes. Among other important family values we should stress love, unselfishness, care for life and mutual responsibility for children and parents."

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