For pope, Jews and Christians have a responsibility to preserve the religious sense of the men and women of today, and that of our society
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – "In a society increasingly marked by secularism and threatened by atheism," Jews and Christians "have the blessing but also the responsibility to help preserve the religious sense of the men and women of today, and that of our society, by our witness to the sanctity of God and human life. God is holy, and the life he has given is holy and inviolable,” said Pope Francis during his meeting with a delegation from the Conference of European Rabbis in the Vatican today.
During the audience, the pontiff noted the how the dialogue between Catholics and Jews “has progressed,” rejoicing “in the friendship which has grown between us”. At the same time, the Holy Father went on to deplore “all forms of anti-Semitism” and slam the “Acts of hatred and violence against Christians and the faithful of other religions”.
In his response to the greetings by the President of the Conference, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Francis thanked him for his organisation’s first visit with a pope, expressing his condolences for the death last night of the former Chief Rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff.
"I am united in prayer with Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni – who would have been here with us – and with the entire Jewish Community in Rome. We gratefully remember this man of peace and dialogue who received Pope John Paul II during his historic visit to the Great Synagogue of Rome (pictured).”
"Today, in Europe, it is more important than ever to emphasise the spiritual and religious dimension of human life. In a society increasingly marked by secularism and threatened by atheism, we run the risk of living as if God did not exist. People are often tempted to take the place of God, to consider themselves the criterion of all things, to control them, to use everything according to their own will.
“It is so important to remember, however, that our life is a gift from God, and that we must depend on him, confide in him, and turn towards him always. Jews and Christians have the blessing but also the responsibility to help preserve the religious sense of the men and women of today, and that of our society, by our witness to the sanctity of God and human life. God is holy, and the life he has given is holy and inviolable.
"Anti-Semitic trends in Europe these days are troubling, as are certain acts of hatred and violence. Every Christian must be firm in deploring all forms of anti-Semitism, and in showing their solidarity with the Jewish people (cf. Nostra Aetate, 4).
“Recently we marked the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the concentration camp which has come to be synonymous with the great tragedy of the Shoah. The memory of what took place there, in the heart of Europe, is a warning to present and future generations. Acts of hatred and violence against Christians and the faithful of other religions must likewise be condemned everywhere.”
.png)
