Vatican
City, 24 June 2013
(VIS) – At noon today, the Holy Father received 30 members of the
delegation of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious
Consultations. The Pope recalled that 21 previous meetings have
helped to strengthen the mutual understanding and ties of friendship
between Jews and Catholics.
This
is Pope Francis' first official meeting with a group of
representatives of Jewish organizations and communities since his
election. The pontiff said that the “Nostra Aetate” Declaration
of the Second Vatican Council represents “a key point of reference
for relations with the Jewish people” for the Catholic Church.
“In
that Council text, the Church recognizes that 'the beginnings of its
faith and election are to be found in the patriarchs, Moses, and
prophets'. And, with regard to the Jews, the Council recalls the
teaching of Saint Paul, who wrote 'the gifts and the call of God are
irrevocable' and who also firmly condemned hatred, persecution, and
all forms of anti-Semitism. Due to our common roots, a Christian
cannot be anti-Semitic!”
The
Holy Father noted that “the fundamental principles expressed by the
Declaration have marked the path of greater awareness and mutual
understanding trodden these last decades by Jews and Catholics, a
path which my predecessors have strongly encouraged, both by very
significant gestures and by the publication of a series of documents
to deepen the thinking about the theological roots of the relations
between Jews and Christians.”
Nevertheless,
this represents “only the most visible element of a vast movement
that takes place on the local level a bit throughout the world, as I
know from personal experience. During my ministry as Archbishop of
Buenos Aires, I had the joy of maintaining relations of sincere
friendship with leaders of the Jewish world. We talked often of our
respective religious identities, the image of the human person found
in the Scriptures, and how to keep an awareness of God alive in a
world now secularized in many ways. I met with them on various
occasions to discuss the common challenges faced by both Jews and
Christians. But above all, as friends, we enjoyed each other’s
company, we were mutually enriched through encounter and dialogue,
with an attitude of reciprocal welcome, and this helped all of us
grow as persons and as believers.”
“These
friendly relations are, in a way, the basis for the development of a
more official dialogue,” the Pope said, encouraging those present
to follow their path, “trying, as you do so, to involve younger
generations. Humanity needs our joint witness in favour of respect
for the dignity of man and woman created in the image and likeness of
God and in favour of the peace that is, above all, God’s gift.”
Pope
Francis concluded his address by recalling the words of the prophet
Jeremiah: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—affirms
the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you
a future of hope.”