New York City, N.Y., Apr 27, 2010 / 01:00 am
In a recent ceremony commemorating Pope Benedict's visit to a synagogue during his U.S. visit in 2008, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York spoke on the importance of Catholic-Jewish relations, stressing that the two must focus on their commonality and work together to preserve the “memory” of the faith.
Archbishop Dolan gave his remarks at the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Park East Synagogue in New York City on April 22. Discussing the drastically-improved status of Catholic-Jewish relations, the New York prelate said, it “should not be lost on us that a millennium ago, a century ago or even fifty years ago, these visits would have been unthinkable – even condemnable – in both Christian and Jewish circles.”
“How far our friendship has come, that our leaders can welcome each other with affection and respect into their very houses of worship!” he noted.
On the future relationship between Jews and Catholics, Archbishop Dolan addressed his “modest proposal,” underscoring the importance of both groups striving to keep memory and mutual concern alive in their interactions with each other.