Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday called on Christians and Jews to cooperate with Islam for "the good of humanity", as he received a delegation from the American Jewish Committee at the Vatican.
"Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in the one God, creator of heaven and earth," he said. "It follows, therefore, that all three monotheistic religions are called to cooperate with one another for the common good of humanity, serving the cause of justice and peace in the world."
"This is especially important today when particular attention must be given to teaching respect for God, for religions and their symbols, and for holy sites and places of worship," he said.
“Religious leaders bear the responsibility to work in favour of reconciliation through a true dialogue and human solidarity,” Benedict XVI added.
American Jewish Committee President Robert Goodkind, who led the delegation of 28 leaders from accross the US, said in his address to the Pope : "We appreciate your forceful condemnations of antis-Semitism."
"We believe that our extensive and ongoing global efforts to foster good relations among all faith communities - especially in the Holy Land- contitute a pressing moral responsibility that is of the greatest significance for world peace," he added.
Respectful dialogue
Two weeks ago, the Vatican and Israel’s Chief rabbinate had stressed the importance of managing a dialogue with Islam.
“We think that it is our duty to involve the Muslim world and its leaders in a respectful dialogue,” the two parties stressed.
“I am convinced that this meeting with the American Jewish Committee will encourage even more your efforts to enhance the friendship between the Jewish people and the Catholic Church,” he told the Jewish delegation.
He also mentioned the recent celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate statement by the Second Vatican Council which reinforced “our common desire to better know each other and to promote a dialogue characterised by love and mutual respect.”
“It is undeniable that Jews and Christians have a rich common heritage. This makes their relations unique among all the diverse religions in the world,” the Pope concluded.
