Benedict XVI at Romes synagogue : Jewish and Catholic communities need to work together

Benedict XVIs first visit to Romes synagogue was filled by a number of historic gestures.

Before stepping foot inside, the pope made a stop before the monument that stands in memory of more than 1 thousand Jews, the Nazis held captive in Rome in 1943 and later deported to Auschwitz. Benedict XVI placed a crown of flowers in their memory.

This was the second time a pope walked into a synagogue in the Eternal City. John Paul II was the first in 1986. Benedict XVI said hes following his predecessors footsteps to reinforce the Catholic Churchs relationship with the Jewish community.

Riccardo Di Segni
Chief Rabbi of Rome
When John Paul II visited, he compared the relationship between the Jewish community and the Catholic community to that of brothers.

But this visit was preceded by a lot of controversy. Days before, a senior member of the Italian Jewish community said he would not attend, protesting against the silence of Pius XII during the Holocaust. An issue that was addressed during the popes visit.
Riccardo Pacifici
President Jewish community of Rome
A number of religious institutions in Italy and other parts of Europe opened their doors, putting their lives in danger to save the lives of million of Jews without asking for anything in return. Thats why we believe Pius XIIs silence against the Holocaust was something very hurtful.

Benedict XVI responded with gestures and words. Some were moved when the German pope, stood up as a sign of respect before the Holocaust survivors

The pope said the reminder of these events should strengthen the ties between Jews and Christians. He also detailed the success of Pius XIIs strategy which was to avoid making any public condemnations. Pius XII believed he could save more lives by staying silent than risk making the situation worse.

Benedict XVI
The Apostolic See itself provided assistance, often in a hidden and discreet way.

Benedict XVI asked the Catholic and Jewish communities to get to know each other better, and respect each other, since they pray to the same God.

Benedict XVI
They pray to the same Lord, they have the same roots, and yet they often remain unknown to each other.

The main point of the Pope's speech was a proposal for specific areas of collaboration. The Pope himself wants to seek ways of working together in defence of human ecology, life, family and the poor.

Benedict XVI
Bearing witness together to the supreme value of life against all selfishness, is an important contribution to a new world where justice and peace reign.

The pope also greeted the old rabbi who welcomed Pope John Paul II more than 20 years ago. The rabbi is one of three people that John Paul II mentioned in his will.

Rabbis from all over the world are calling the popes meeting with the Jewish community a historic event.

Rabbi David Rosen
American Jewish Committee
I think it was a wonderful event, a very moving event and a very important event. The reaffirmation of the bounds, new bounds, rediscovering bounds. Between the Catholic church and the Jewish people.

Rabbi Richard Marker
International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations
These are important matters that in our moment, in our age is symbolic brought to a close. So with this visit, I think, it was an important statement to see how the people and the Church recognizes the symbolic importance, the importance of these things. And this is why I think is an important moment.

Now, both the Jewish and Catholic communities hope the tone of the dialogue between the two reaches beyond the kind that takes place at official ceremonies.

BR/MC
CTV
WP

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[goodthaigiirl]

This pope looks a bit evil..a bit like pedophile.

[artsychic2000]

i think i have a lawsuit under my wings too...they are liars..every one

[artsychic2000]

what a lie...you liars. I know your history..i know your history of as recently as rwanda. I know you set up dictatorships all over the world to do your dirty work. I know you created islam. Jesus Christ is paramount. You little man are going down soon. I spit on you

[artsychic2000]

the vatican took part in the killing of the jews and many christians during WW2. The vatican is a satanic system. Please do some research on this. They want control of the temple mount in Jerusalem and they have bought it. If you don't believe what christ said in his word "when you see the abomination that maketh desolate stand in the holy place" flee...judgement is coming on jerusalem for the apostacy of the rabbi and the catholic church. You better wake up!

[nicopopoify]

@willthacheerleader18

Christ was not a Jew and they are not the children of Israel but of Khazaria

[willthacheerleader18]

@LordAquila It is Islam, not Mohammedanism. And The Chuch (Catholic) has very friendly relations with both religions, does not view them as Apostates. Remember that Judaism also existed before Christianity, so it is not apostate. The Trinity was not revealed until Christ came anyway, the followers of the God of Abraham did not know the Trinity, and certain Christian groups (that are apostates) dont believe in it.

[willthacheerleader18]

@nicopopoify Christ himself was a Jew. They are the Children of Israel. As Christians they are our bretheren.

[LordAquila]

@willthacheerleader18

This is incorrect. What is the nature of God? The Holy Trinity; to reject any of the three persons of the Trinity is to reject God and fall into apostacy. The Church has always recognised Judaism and Mohammedanism as apostates for this reason, while Protestants who do recognise the Trinity, but promote other incorrect ideas, are not generally classes as apostates, but heretics.

[nicopopoify]

@willthacheerleader18

God did not break his covenant, the Jews broke it. They failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Paul writes about it in Acts 13:27: "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him".

Jews are therefore not part of his flock and will never be.

[nicopopoify]

@willthacheerleader18

Jew was originally a contraction of the word "Judean" or inhabitant of Judea (that was the meaning of "Jew" in the time of Jesus), but Jesus was a Galilean (inhabitant of Galilee). None of the above, Galileans or Judeans, referred to themselves as "Jews" in the religious sense at all.