Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Conciliar Declaration Nostra aetate, promulgated by Pope Paul VI forty years ago, “opened a new era of relations with the Jewish People and offered the foundations for sincere theological dialogue” Pope Benedict XVI said in a Message addressed to the president of the Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, Cardinal Walter Kasper, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of the Declaration by the Second Vatican Council.
The Pope says the anniversary offers “abundant reason to express gratitude to Almighty God for the witness of all those who, despite a complex and often painful history, and especially after the tragic experience of the Shoah, which was inspired by a neo-pagan racist ideology, worked courageously to foster reconciliation and improved understanding between Christians and Jews.”.
The Declaration stressed the need to overcome past prejudices, misunderstandings, indifference, and the language of contempt and hostility and has promoted recognition of common spiritual roots and rich heritage of faith in the One God. Looking back at these forty years of “fruitful contact between the Church and the Jewish People”, the Holy Father stresses the need to renew commitment to complete the work which remains to be done and confirms his firm determination to progress in this field as he said during last August’s visit to Cologne Synagogue . “As we look to the future, - the Pope concluded - I express my hope that both in theological dialogue and in everyday contacts and collaboration, Christians and Jews will offer an ever more compelling shared witness to the One God and his commandments, the sanctity of life, the promotion of human dignity, the rights of the family and the need to build a world of justice, reconciliation and peace for future generations.”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2005 - Righe 22, Parole 287)
