Vatican City, Oct 18, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with Jews, headed by Cardinal Jorge Mejia, and Delegations of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, led by Rabbi Shar Yishuv Cohen, today released a shared statement on social justice and ethics, calling for respect for religious communities and persons, and affirming Jewish and Catholic solidarity in essential moral values and human well-being.
The statement, on the theme "A Common Vision of Social Justice and Ethical Behavior," emerged today during meetings in Grottaferrata, Italy, which began on October 17 and end today. It reads:
"1. We are not enemies, but unequivocal partners in articulating the essential moral values for the survival and welfare of human society.
"2. Jerusalem has a sacred character for all the children of Abraham. We call on all relevant authorities to respect this character and to prevent actions which offend the sensibilities of religious communities that reside in Jerusalem and hold her dear.