Rome, Italy, Dec 14, 2011 / 16:15 pm
Lord Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and British Commonwealth, told Pope Benedict XVI that he fears Europe is losing its Judeo-Christian heritage.
“We are very concerned obviously with the soul of Europe, I mean Europe was built on Judeo-Christian foundations, even the market was built on Judeo-Christian foundations,” he told Vatican Radio in an interview following his private audience with the Pope Dec. 12.
The 63-year-old Englishman, who was elevated to the British House of Lords in 2009, stated that Judeo-Christian roots best historically explain why the West has outstripped other cultures both politically and economically.
He also believes that while religious leaders have “no power” in the modern world, they still “have a great deal of influence.” Rabbi Sacks said the Pope’s influence was why he came to visit him, “because I think if Jewish and Christian voices are heard, along parallel lines, then they should not underestimate the influence they have.”