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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TRADITIONAL PAPAL MESSAGE FOR BRAZIL'S FRATERNITY CAMPAIGN

VATICAN CITY, MAR 4, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul's annual Message to the Church in Brazil at the start of its traditional Fraternity Campaign was released today. Dated January 4, 2003, and addressed to Bishop Jayme Henrique Chemello, president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, the Message focusses on the campaign's theme "Life, Dignity and Hope," in particular on solidarity with the elderly.

"The Church," notes the Pope, "indicates, by mandate of the Redeemer, the path for spiritual and human well-being, a path of reconciliation and penitence, through personal conversion and solidarity with one's neighbor." He said that "such solidarity was especially necessary today with the elderly" because of medical advances and increased longevity of persons. "It is therefore necessary to urgently plan assistance to our brothers and sisters. This calls for a change of mentality: we must replace the utilitarian and materialistic culture, which attributes value to a person on what they produce and consume, with a culture that recognizes the 'absolute' value of each person, be it for the degree of capacity and efficiency that they have."

The Holy Father said he hoped that new life would be given to the social and health programs of public and private institutions, as well as those of diocesan pastoral ministries. "My thoughts," he said, "go to Brazil's elderly, in a special way to widows and widowers, to the elderly religious and to our dear brothers in the priesthood."

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HOLY FATHER SENDS CARDINAL LAGHI AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO U.S.

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The following statement was made this morning to journalists by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office:

"In light of the Iraqi crisis, the Holy Father has named Cardinal Pio Laghi as his special envoy to meet with George W. Bush, president of the United States.
"The cardinal, who will leave Rome in coming days, will carry a message from the Holy Father and will have an opportunity to illustrate the position and initiatives undertaken by the Holy See to contribute to disarmament and peace in the Middle East."

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WORK IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The Pope today received 350 leaders of Olivetti Tecnost, recalling his trip to their offices in Ivrea in 1990 and noting that they "represent one of the industrial groups most involved in the current phase of reorganization and re-launching of the productive sectors of the Italian economy."

The Pope said that at this current time in history, marked by "contradictions and problems" but also by "innovative stimuli," it is "of fundamental importance to remember the strict bond that exists between work and the dignity of the person. ... It is a privileged occasion to reaffirm the centrality of man in the difference stages of planning, production, selling and the use of consumer goods."

The Holy Father spoke of the founder, Adriano Olivetti, "an esteemed entrepreneur who felt that work was a singular opportunity for human growth for everyone" as well as "a favorable occasion to create relationships of collaboration and solidarity among persons." He added that efforts to develop a business and to create new jobs will be "all the more efficacious when they are inspired by the ethical, cultural and religious principles of work."

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POPE WELCOMES ROMANIAN BISHOPS ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The bishops of Romania, at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit, were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning who recalled his visit to their country in May 1999 where he "experienced the intense affection of the Romanian people for the Pope."

In his discourse to them in their language, he underscored that the two rites of the Catholic Church in Romania "are a very active minority on the spiritual and social levels. I know that your communities work side by side with the Orthodox majority of the country, collaborating ... with a fraternal spirit and in reciprocal respect." He spoke of the important work of the Mixed Commission for Dialogue between the Greek-Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Romania.

The Holy Father then turned his attention to the important area of pastoral ministry for families, noting that there have been meetings in this regard with the Orthodox "for a common discernment of the problems that families are facing." Among these problems, he said, are "the fragility of couples, the consistent migration of young families to western countries, the subsequent entrusting of children to grandparents, the forced separation of spouses, above all when it is the mother who leaves to seek work, the broad practice of abortion, and birth control through methods contrary to the dignity of the human person."

"And how can we forget," remarked the Pope, "the sad heritage of the communist dictatorship even in your country as seen in the crisis of a Christian vision of life?" He stated that the Church's duty to evangelize is "immense," and stressed that, "in harmony with our brothers in the Romanian Orthodox Church, ... centers of formation for young people must be developed where they can know the common Gospel legacy, and then give witness to it in an incisive way in society."

John Paul II pointed to "the heroic witness of Romanian Catholics of both rites who underwent unspeakable suffering under the communist regime," naming especially Cardinal Alexandru Todea who died last year, and the seven bishops who were martyred and whose cause is underway for canonization. He emphasized that "if it is true that the Romanian people ... knew how to resist militant atheistic materialism, preserving the legacy of the Christian proclamation, now it is important to create in the hearts of the faithful this interior richness."

"Do not fear," the Pope told the Church in Romania. "God is blessing your efforts, and a witness of this is the consistent number of candidates to the priesthood in your seminaries."

He then turned to the question of the process of integrating Romania into the broader sphere of the European Union and institutions of the continent. He said this is a positive fact, but one not without risks, especially if Romania allows itself to forget its Christian heritage and to be "conditioned by consumerism and egotistical individualism." He urged Romanians to remember that they "not only have something to receive but they also have a rich spiritual, cultural and historical legacy to offer, benefitting the unity and vitality of the entire continent."

The Pope dedicated remarks to the urgency of achieving full unity among Christians, saying he "prays the Lord to make the blessed day come when Catholics and Orthodox can receive communion together at the same table."

He also spoke of the two traditions that have existed side by side for centuries, "the Latin rite and the Byzantine rite, which together make the face of your Church more beautiful. You almost work in a spiritual 'laboratory' where the riches of undivided Christianity can show all their strength and vitality."

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