Pope greets Rabbis highlighting dialogue and
cooperation
 |
| File picture showing Pope Francis listening to a speech as he meets Israel's rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef, in Jerusalem, Israel.- EPA |
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday greeted a
Delegation of Rabbis in the Vatican for the presentation of the Statement
“Between Jerusalem and Rome”.
Below find the English translation of Pope Francis'
address
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I offer a
cordial welcome to all of you, and in a special way to the representatives of
the Conference of European Rabbis, the Rabbinical Council of America, and the
Commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel in dialogue with the Holy See’s
Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. I thank Rabbi Pinchas
Goldschmidt for his kind greeting in your name.
In our
shared journey, by the graciousness of the Most High, we are presently
experiencing a fruitful moment of dialogue. This is reflected in the
Statement Between Jerusalem and Rome which you have issued and which you
present to me today. This document pays particular tribute to the Second
Vatican Council’s Declaration Nostra Aetate, whose fourth chapter represents
the “Magna Charta” of our dialogue with the Jewish world. Indeed, the
ongoing implementation of the Council’s Declaration has enabled our relations
to become increasingly friendly and fraternal. Nostra Aetate noted that
the origins of the Christian faith are to be found, in accordance with the
divine mystery of salvation, in the Patriarchs, in Moses and in the
Prophets. It also stated that, given the great spiritual heritage we hold
in common, every effort must be made to foster reciprocal knowledge and
respect, above all through biblical studies and fraternal discussions (cf. No.
4). Consequently, in recent decades, we have been able to draw closer to
one another and to engage in an effective and fruitful dialogue. We have
grown in mutual understanding and deepened our bonds of friendship.
The
Statement Between Jerusalem and Rome does not hide, however, the theological
differences that exist between our faith traditions. All the same, it
expresses a firm resolve to collaborate more closely, now and in the future.
Your document is addressed to Catholics, speaking of them as “partners,
close allies, friends and brothers in our mutual quest for a better world
blessed with peace, social justice and security”. It goes on to say that
“despite profound theological differences, Catholics and Jews share common
beliefs” and also “the affirmation that religions must use moral behavior and
religious education - not war, coercion or social pressure – to influence and
inspire”. This is most important: may the Eternal One bless and enlighten
our cooperation, so that together we can accept and carry out ever better his
plans, “plans for welfare and not for evil”, for “a future and a hope” (Jer
29:11).
On the
occasion of your welcome visit, I would like to express to you and to your
communities beforehand my best wishes for the Jewish New Year which will begin
in a few weeks. Shanah tovah! Once more I thank you for coming and
I ask you to remember me in your prayers. Finally, I would invoke upon
you, and upon all of us, the blessing of the Most High for the shared journey
of friendship and trust that lies before us. In his mercy, may the
Almighty bestow his peace upon us and upon the entire world. Shalom
alechem!
(Lydia O'Kane)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét