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POPE-JEWS Mar-16-2006 (450 words) xxxi
Pope urges religious leaders to reconcile conflicts with dialogue
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI called on Jews, Christians and Muslims to work together to promote peace and justice in the world, and he urged religious leaders to lead the way by reconciling conflicts and divisions through dialogue and active solidarity.
In a March 16 speech to members of the American Jewish Committee, the pope underlined the "rich common patrimony" that "distinguishes our relationship as unique among the religions of the world," he said.
Christianity acknowledges God's relationship with Israel as the beginning of salvation history, and the pope reminded his audience that the Catholic Church "can never forget that chosen people with whom God entered into a holy covenant."
But Judaism and Christianity also share a unique trait with Islam in that they all believe in one God as creator of heaven and earth, he said.
"It follows, therefore, that all three monotheistic religions are called to cooperate with one another for the common good of humanity, serving the cause of justice and peace in the world," said the pope.
He emphasized the importance of religious leaders spearheading such efforts since they "have a responsibility to work for reconciliation through genuine dialogue and acts of human solidarity."
The pope said such cooperation is especially urgent today because greater attention needs to be given to "teaching respect for God, for religions and their symbols, and for holy sites and places of worship."
He encouraged the visiting American Jewish Committee delegation to continue "to build bridges of understanding across all barriers."
The committee's international director of interreligious affairs, Rabbi David Rosen, told Catholic News Service he agreed with the pope's assessment of "the need to reach out to Islam."
The rabbi said the group has "lots of bilateral contacts" with Muslim groups, but he said the level of dialogue and exchange is "low key and behind the scenes" because Muslim leaders risk being criticized for engaging in dialogue with Jews.
In meetings with Vatican officials, committee members asked the Vatican to take the lead in creating a trilateral commission of Jews, Christians and Muslims, he said.
The rabbi said if such a committee became a Vatican initiative that Jewish and Muslim leaders could join, then "no one in the Muslim world would think of accusing (the Muslims engaged in dialogue) of being part of a Jewish conspiracy."
The rabbi said he thanked the pope "for the honor he bestowed upon me" when he received a papal knighthood Nov. 3.
The rabbi became the first Israeli citizen, the first Orthodox rabbi and the fifth living Jew to become a Knight of St. Gregory.
END
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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