VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Here is the press statement issued after the meeting of the bilateral committee of the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
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From our meeting in Grottaferrata (Rome), October 17-19, 2004, we issue this declaration.
Conscious of the fact that there is not wide enough awareness in our respective communities of the momentous change that has taken place in the relationship between Catholics and Jews; and in light of our own Committee’s work and our current discussions on a shared vision for a just and ethical society; we declare:
1. We are not enemies, but unequivocal partners in articulating the essential moral values for the survival and welfare of human society.
2. Jerusalem has a sacred character for all the children of Abraham. We call on all relevant authorities to respect this character and to prevent actions which offend the sensibilities of religious communities that reside in Jerusalem and hold her dear.
3. We call on religious authorities to protest publicly when actions of disrespect towards religious persons, symbols and Holy Sites are committed, such as the desecration of cemeteries and the recent assault on the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. We call on them to educate their communities to behave with respect and dignity towards people and towards their attachment to their faith.
JEWISH DELEGATION
1. Rabbi Shar Yishuv Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa
2. Rabbi Rasson Arussi, Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Ono
3. Rabbi Yossef Azran, Chief Rabbi of Rishon-Lezion
4. Rabbi David Brodman, director general of the Center for Jewish Education in Savyon
5. Rabbi David Rosen, international director for Interreligious Affairs
6. Mr. Oded Wiener, director general of the Grand Rabbinate of Israel in Jerusalem
CATHOLIC DELEGATION
1. His Eminence Cardinal Jorge María Mejía, Archivist and Librarian emeritus of the Holy Roman Church
2. His Eminence Cardinal Georges Cottier, O.P., former Papal Household theologian
3. His Excellency Monsignor Pietro Sambi, apostolic delegate in Jerusalem
4. His Excellency Monsignor Giacinto-Boulos-Marcuzzo, auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
5. Reverend Monsignor Pier Francesco Fumagalli, consultor for the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews
6. Reverend Father Norbert Hofmann, S.D.B., secretary of the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews
[Original text in English]
