Religioni per la Pace Italia

DISCORSO DI BENVENUTO DI LISA BILLIG, DEL COORDINAMENTO WCRP-ITALIA E RAPPRESENTANTE DELL’AJC PER L’ITALIA, ALLA CONFERENZA GEI GIOVANI LEADERS CATTOLICI ED EBREI ORGANIZZATA DAGLI AMICI DEL MOVIMENTO DEI FOCOLARI A CASTELGANDOLFO (GIUGNO 2009)


“Discovering Common Values”

Castelgandolfo 21-25 June, 2009-06-20


Welcome Speech to participants at the Catholic-Jewish Emerging Leadership Conference

By Lisa Palmieri-Billig


My young friends:

It is a joy and honour for me to have this opportunity to say a few words to you on behalf of IJCIC (the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations) and in particular on behalf of its outgoing Chairman, Rabbi David Rosen, whom I have been asked to represent here tonight.

Seeing you all, a group of young people entrusted with carrying the torch that was lit nearly half a century ago by a few brave pioneers on both sides of the Catholic-Jewish dialogue is, I must say, quite moving. It is the beginning of the coronation of a vision. I have had the privilege, throughout these years, both as an observer and as a participant, to follow first-hand, the progressive evolution of this vision over and beyond all the hurdles and obstacles that have appeared and will continue to appear along the road on which we are all travelling together.

One thing is clear. The more time passes and the more the circumstances of our surrounding world change, the greater the significance and urgency of our dialogue, our friendship and our concrete cooperation to implement the moral and ethical values that bind us in a common destiny.

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The first spark of our new relationship was generated through the encounter, in 1960, between the Jewish historian and holocaust survivor Jules Isaac and John XXIII. Jules Isaac presented Pope Roncalli with his essay, “The Teaching of Contempt: Christian Roots of Anti-Semitism”. His thesis was that centuries of deprecating anti-Jewish stereotypes in Christian education, based on the deicide accusation, had laid the groundwork for the demonization of Jews, the consequent outburst of hatred and underlying indifference by a determinant majority of Europe’s Christian masses to the barbaric Nazi persecutions and attempted genocide of its Jewish population.


John XXIII, already sensitized by his wartime experiences as Apostolic Delegate in Greece and Turkey, where he saved many Jews by issuing false baptismal certificates, responded by inserting into the planning agenda of the Second Vatican Council, the writing of a “Document on the Jews” – which became our historic “Nostra Aetate” document in 1965.


You will be discussing the History of Catholic-Jewish Relations as well as Developments after Nostra Aetate tomorrow, so I won’t burden you now with a list of the courageous and determined players on both sides of this dialogue – practically all of whom I knew personally. It would be nice to recall their groundbreaking thoughts and actions and light a symbolic memorial candle for each of them. Perhaps we can honour them all at another time, another place.


What I do want to leave you with is a sense of the larger context, a sense of how and in what way the contents and the atmosphere of our ongoing encounter have evolved.


A first thought is that at the time only men appeared as representatives. And this, as is evident by looking at you today, has thankfully begun to change for the better. We are becoming a more “normal” sample an engaged population of Catholic and Jewish men and women.


But the transformation of an idea into a process of action truly began when Cardinal Augustin Bea, of blessed memory, was entrusted by John XXIII with the great challenge of persuading the Vatican Council Fathers to make a priority of formulating a new basis for the Church’s relations with Judaism.


His task was not easy. Reactionary forces within the Church had clasped hands with Arab Bishops opposed to the existence of Israel. This Far Right wing worked hard to sabotage the future “Nostra Aetate” document by distributing to the Council Fathers tons of slanderous anti-Semitic material. I remember in particular one huge tome that appeared on their desks one day, entitled, “The Plot against the Church by Communists, Masons and Jews.


As always when our intents are strong enough, good triumphed over evil. The liberal, reformist wing of the Church clearly won the day. “Nostra Aetate” has become a milestone, and we have moved on.


At the beginning, Jewish interest in the budding relationship was focussed mainly on two areas. One was working together to eradicate anti-Semitism in the world, whether theologically based or otherwise – and the second was working towards Vatican recognition of Israel – a Leitmotif in the speeches of every Jewish delegation received by successive popes from 1965 to 1993, when the Fundamental Agreement between Israel and the Holy See was finally signed..


But there were also internal obstacles for the Jewish pioneers within their communities themselves. They had to fend off mistrust by their brethren regarding what they considered the ultimate aims of the Catholic Church, its age old desire to convert Jews to Catholicism. For this reason, the Orthodox segment in particular vetoed all theological dialogue. The history of predetermined medieval disputes between the Church and Jews and forced conversions was still too fresh in their minds.


Through the years, slowly, unevenly but gradually, it became clear that the Church would not engage in proselytizing, and confidence and trust by Jews for their Catholic partners has grown, and grown.


Pope John Paul II’s unforgettably poignant gestures: his visit to Rome’s Main Synagogue and his address to “our dearly beloved elder brothers”, his diplomatic recognition of Israel, his prayer, first in Rome then in Israel at the Kotel, asking forgiveness for “the sons and daughters of the Church” for sins against their Jewish brothers and sisters, has inspired even the most orthodox Jewish leaders to engage in regular encounters on all levels, all over the world.


The bi-annual meetings between representatives of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and Vatican Representatives is in a certain sense the epitome of the victory of trust over suspicion. And, needless to say, Benedict XVIth is considered warmly by the great majority of Jewish leaders and communities, as following in the footsteps of John Paul II.


IJCIC itself, the most representative body of world Judaism, today solves bi-lateral problems with phone calls and private letters, in lieu of harsh confrontation. As we know, the problems themselves don’t disappear, and the issues regarding the Tridentine Good Friday Latin prayer for Jewish conversion, and the stubbornly reactionary, Holocaust and Vatican II denying Lefebvrists are recent examples. Yet these open controversies continue to be conducted on a scaffolding of mutual respect and good will.


Catholic interest in the dialogue also originally focussed on two issues, different in nature from the Jewish. One was – and still is – that of rediscovering and re-evaluating the Jewish theological roots of Christianity itself: hence, an intense interest in theological dialogue aimed at deepening an internal understanding of Christian identity. The second is an act of atonement: dedication to eradicating vestiges of anti-Judaism from Catholic teaching and fighting all manifestations of anti-Semitism.


In this task, the Vatican has been helped by a series of valiant, highly committed and outstanding Catholic and Jewish scholars who, through their research and publications, have paved the way for “in-context” historical interpretations of New Testament writings that free the message from anti-Judaic and anti-Semitic connotations. To name but a few: Jim Rudin and the late Leon Klenicki of beloved memory, who both produced invaluable educational tools; Eugene Fisher, Phil Cunningham, John Pawlikowski and our own Joseph Sievers.

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Today, we are on the threshold of a new stage, a stage which permits us to begin reaching out to the rest of the world, cooperating in common action. Education against anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism must of course be taught anew to each generation, but in addition, Catholic-Jewish groups have worked on joint projects such as helping victims of AIDs in South Africa, and providing food for the needy during the economic crisis in Buenos Aires.


But the contemporary world poses new and very serious threats, new challenges to our moral cohesion against economic injustice, and the erosion of the freedoms and human rights guaranteed by democratic countries. In the names of our common traditions, we are called on today to close ranks to protect the physical and spiritual integrity and liberty of thought and opinion of the human person, and to preserve our environment from the ruthless exploitation of resources.


As Jews and Christians, united by these convictions, we can provide the example, constitute the moral backbone that will support and attract other forces for good, creating a snowballing effect for the sake of Tikkun Olam, the mending of this ailing world..


If we meditate on the task before us, I think we will find that the theological rift that created two separate religions is insignificant in the face of the great expanse of common ground we share and the common goals we so deeply cherish.


At bottom, what unites us is our profound commitment to justice, peace and grateful love for all Creation. Our being hosted these days by our dear friends of the Focolare Movement is entirely appropriate and providentially, not coincidental. What better vantage point from which to launch a new generation of Catholics and Jews in dialogue than the home of those who believe in the Unity of all mankind, and in the precept that we must always take the first steps in extending love, even before receiving it ourselves.


Therefore, be assured that IJCIC cares very much about your future and the future of your children and children’s children. Yours is also OUR future. We are excited that you are meeting, and confident that you will summon the energy and creativity to build on the foundations so passionately cemented over the past half century, mindful of your future, and the future of all humanity.


Thank you, Mazeltov and Lachaim! To Life!!