Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, met on September 22 with Rabbis Giuseppe Laras, President of the Italian Rabbinical Assembly, and Riccardo Di Segni, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Rome, wishing them a happy (Jewish) new year and extending his greetings to all Italian Jews. According to a statement released by the Italian Bishops' Conference, during the encounter, the Cardinal mentioned his personal esteem and that of all the Bishops of the Bishops' Conference in confrontation with the Italian Jewish Community.
“There has been no change in the attitude of the Catholic Church towards the Jewish people, especially since the Second Vatican Council. Thus, the Italian Bishops' Conference reiterates that it is not the Catholic Church's intention to work actively for the conversion of the Jews. The Cardinal showed his concern for antisemitism which, from time to time, continues to appear, reiterating the need for attentive vigilance, with the hope that the already deep ties between the two parts may be ever more united. With the growing friendship and mutual esteem, it will be easier to eradicate those elements that can lead to antisemitic attitudes.”
A common agreement was made to recover the celebration of the Day for Jewish-Christian reflection on January 17, in the conviction that “the recovery of the celebration will help reciprocal comprehension and make collaboration for the growth of love towards God and neighbor more fruitful.” The reflection will continue on the 10 Commandments, as Benedict XVI asked in the Synagogue of Cologne, and next year they will take up the fourth commandment, which according to Jewish numeration is: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2009)
