Interview with Bishop Sergio Goretti of Assisi
Assisi (Fides Service) - January 17 is the annual Day for Dialogue between Catholic and Jewish Communities. Fides Service spoke about this initiative with Bishop Sergio Goretti, who is the president of the Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue of the Italian Bishops' Conference.

The Day of Dialogue between Catholic and Jewish communities aims to build esteem and friendship. How effective is this initiative, and what results have been obtained so far?
The day of dialogue between Catholic and Jewish communities is most important. Its purpose is to overcome all forms of reciprocal aversion. The initiative was born with the Second Vatican Council, which addressed the subject of relations with Judaism. Catholic aversion towards Jews and vice versa was a problem, especially in Europe. This Day has helped to build relations of esteem, understanding and friendship. We Christians must learn to regard the Jewish people as a People chosen by God and to whom he entrusted mission for humanity. Christ himself, his mother, his first disciples we are all members of this people. Today Catholic/Jewish dialogue is ever more important: it is necessary to distinguish between the state of Israel's policies towards Palestine and dialogue between religions. There can be some reserve with regard to the policy of Israel: neither terrorism nor acts of retaliation lead to peace. Dialogue with Jews regards believers in the One same God, persons who merit respect, esteem and who must be loved.

The theme this year is: Moses spoke with God and all the people were witnesses"
Moses is the one who led the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to freedom. He is the image of Christ, who brings salvation to the whole world. Moses spoke with God and the people listened to Moses. He is a sign of the Church's mission in the world and also a sign of newly discovered brotherhood between Christians and Jews.

What lies at the heart of Christian/Jewish dialogue? Are there still difficulties?
The basis of dialogue is clear: at the heart of Christianity there is the commandment of charity, the charity of Christ, unlimited love. Difficulties arise for political motives, sometimes linked with the present day situation in the Holy Land, difficult relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Today there is a concerning reappearance of anti-Semitism, that Christianity must reject whole-heartedly.

January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the theme this year "We carry this treasure within ourselves, as in earthenware vessels, so that it may be clear this extraordinary power comes from God not from us". Can you illustrate the theme?
Between Christ, the Holy One the Saviour and his Church there exists an abyss. Although the Church possesses means of Salvation and immense gifts, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, Sacraments, it is made up of men and women. Divisions among Christians were caused by men. We are truly vessels of earthenware although enriched with marvellous gifts. An earthenware vessel, however precious, can break: the sins of men damaged the unity given by Christ. This means that the path to unity is not only meditating on the Word of God, letting ourselves be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, living the same Baptism, it means also growing in holiness and striving to purify and eliminate motives which caused this vessel to break, our sins. We must strive for deep spiritual life. Today after great enthusiasm and hopes we are living a phase of "waters that are too quiet" on the level of ecumenism. We need to be shaken up: we must work for unity through brotherly encounter and through reciprocal support for spiritual growth.

You are the Bishop of Assisi, the town from which Pope John Paul II launched a call on all religions to work together for peace. How important was his call?
Today, with the crisis in the Holy Land, the threat of war in Iraq and ongoing conflicts in many other parts of the world, the little town of Assisi has become an important symbol of peace. Peace is a gift of God, but while we pray for it we must also work for it promoting justice, solidarity, brotherhood, reconciliation. All of us must be involved in building peace, the powerful and the little ones of the earth. We Franciscan work for peace in the name of Saint Francis, a man at peace with God and with nature. This is the role of Assisi. This time last year we were adding last minute touches to the organisation of the Inter-religious day of Prayer for Peace hosted here by the Pope on 24 January, attended by members of many other religions. We are preparing a special event to commemorate that memorable day. PA (Fides Service 17/1/2003)