Vatican and Chief Rabbinate of Israel issue statement on human sanctity, family values
Meeting in Rome from February 23 to 27, 2003, delegates of the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel discussed topics of mutual concern and issued a joint statement on "The Sanctity of Human Life" and "Family Values." The Rome sessions followed a preparatory meeting held in Jerusalem in June 2002.
"We are dialoguing as people of faith having common spiritual roots and patrimony," the delegates declared, according to a Vatican press release. "Dialogue is a value in itself and excludes any intention of converting." They added, "We feel the call to proclaim testimony to the One God in the world and we are willing to cooperate in fostering common religious values, peace with justice, truth and love."
Rabbi Shar Yishuv Cohen and Cardinal Jorge Mejia served as chairs of the Jewish and Catholic delegations, respectively. Other participants included Shmuel Hadas, Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See; Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio in the Holy Land; Rabbi Ratzon Arrusi, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Rabbi David Brodman, Fr. Georges Cottier O.P., Oded Wiener, Fr. Elias Shacour, Mgr. Pier Francesco Fumagalli, and Fr. Norbert Hofmann S.D.B.