|
|
| By: Israel Insider staff and partners |
| Published: November 15, 2005 |
| |
Pope Benedict XVI told a leading Jewish human rights group Monday that relations between Catholics and Jews are moving in a positive direction after a "difficult and painful history."
He said both religions must move ahead "along the path of mutual respect and dialogue, inspired by our shared spiritual heritage."
The pope received a delegation of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, part of his efforts since assuming the papacy in April of reaching out to Jews. During a trip to his native Germany in August, Benedict visited a synagogue in Cologne that was destroyed by the Nazis.
Benedict noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark document "Nostra Aetate" - Latin for "in our time" - which dealt with the Catholic Church's relations with Jews and members of other religions. It deplored anti-Semitism and repudiated the "deicide" charge that blamed Jews as a people for Christ's death.
"After a difficult and painful history, relations between our two communities are presently taking a new, more positive direction," the pope said.
He expressed hope that this century "will see our world emerge from the web of conflict and violence, and sow the seeds for a future of reconciliation, justice and peace."
The AP contributed to this report.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
