September 16, 2005 - Pope Benedict XVI meets with the Chief Rabbis
of Israel
VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2005 (VIS) - Made public
today was the text of the Holy Father's address to Shlomo Moshe Amar
and Yona Metzger, chief rabbis of Israel, whom he received in audience
yesterday, Thursday, at the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo.
Benedict XVI recalled how the rabbis' visit "intends to emphasize the positive
results that have come from the Second Vatican Council's declaration 'Nostra
Aetate,' the fortieth anniversary of which we are commemorating this year," and
which was "a milestone on the road towards reconciliation of Christians
with the Jewish people."
The Pope went on: "I see your visit as a further step forward in the process
of building deeper religious relations between Catholics and Jews, a course
which has received new impulse and energy from 'Nostra Aetate' and from the
many forms
of contact, dialogue and cooperation that have their origin in the principles
and spirit of that document."
The Holy Father then went on to quote the address he recently
delivered in the synagogue of Cologne, Germany, when he spoke of "handing down to young
people the torch of hope that God has given to Jews and to Christians, so that
... future
generations ... may be able to build a more just and peaceful world, in which
all people have equal rights."
"The eyes of the world constantly turn to the Holy Land, the Land that is
considered holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Unfortunately our attention
is too often drawn by acts of violence and terror, a cause of immense sorrow
to everyone living there. We must continue to insist that religion and peace
go together."
Finally, the Pope spared some words for the Christian communities
of the Holy Land who currently "face new and increasing challenges," and expressed
his pleasure "that diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State
of Israel have led to more solid and stable forms of cooperation, we eagerly
await the fulfillment of the Fundamental Agreement on issues still outstanding."
Here is the text of Pope Benedict’s statement to the Chief Rabbis
of Israel: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050915_rabbini-israele_en.html
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