Rabbis Welcome Papal Visit

Posted by Tom McFeely

Wednesday, May 06, 2009 3:03 PM

Pope Benedict XVI greets Rabbi Jack Bemporad in St. Peter's Square in 2005.

Rabbis and other Jewish leaders are expressing support for Pope Benedict XVI’s historic May 8-15 papal visit to the Holy Land.

Two hundred rabbis and other Jewish leaders have signed an open letter of welcome to the Pope, on the occasion of his trip to Israel.

The letter, with the names of all the Jewish leaders who have signed it, will be published as a full two-page ad in the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz upon the Holy Father’s arrival.

Rabbi Jack Bemporad, head of the New Jersey-based Center for Interreligious Understanding, said the outpouring of Jewish support expressed in the open letter is a manifestation of the good relations between Catholics and Jews.

“This experience shows that there is recognition among Jewish leaders that dialogue is essential,” Rabbi Bemporad, who currently serves as Professor of Interreligious Studies at the Angelicum University in Rome, said in a press release.  “A strong commitment to open dialogue can forge a relationship between Catholics and Jews that can become a model for people of all faiths.” 

Here is the text of the open letter to Benedict from Jewish leaders:

UNITED IN OUR AGE:

“Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies as well as of fraternal dialogues.”
— Nostra Aetate
Second Vatican Council, 1965

To His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI:

In this spirit, we Rabbis and Jewish leaders warmly welcome you and your mission of peace to Israel.  With one voice, we are united in our commitment to interreligious dialogue, to opening more paths to increased understanding, and to continually recognize and strengthen the important relationship between Catholics and Jews worldwide.

And where better to reaffirm that relationship, than in the Holy Land of Israel, a place both religions treasure as part of a shared heritage.

Peace be with you, 
B’shalom,

[Signatures]

Filed under benedict xvi, catholic-jewish dialogue, papal visit