CATHOLIC-JEWISH MEETING ON TEACHING SACRED SCRIPTURES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 5, 2003 (VIS) - Israel's Delegation for Relations with the Catholic Church and the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews signed a joint declaration on the theme, 'The Relevance of Central Teachings of the Holy Scriptures which we share for Contemporary Society and the Education of Future Generations,' during a meeting in Jerusalem on December 1-3.

This meeting was preceded by two other meetings which took place in Jerusalem in 2002 and in Grottaferrata, Italy in 2003. Cardinal Jorge Mejia led the Holy See Delegation and Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen headed the Jewish Delegation. The declaration says: 'The participants expressed their profound appreciation for the forthright statements emanating from the Holy See, condemning violence against innocents and denouncing the current resurgent manifestations of anti-semitism.'

'The presentations,' continues the text, 'focused on the foundational teaching in the Holy Scriptures which we share, which declare the faith in the One Creator and Guide of the Universe who has formed all human beings in His Divine Image with free will. Humankind is thus one family with moral responsibility for one another. Awareness for this reality leads to the religious and moral duty that may serve as a true charter for human rights and dignity in our modern world.'

The declaration goes on to say: 'In particular, religious leaders and educators have the special duty to instruct their communities to pursue the paths of peace for the well-being of society at large. We issue this appeal especially to the family of Abraham and we call upon all believers to put aside weapons of war and destruction. ' As religious leaders, we share in the pain and sorrow of all who suffer in the Holy Land today ' and express our fervent hope and prayers for an end to the trials and tribulations in the Land that is holy to us all.'
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