Vatican, Jewish reps slam violence, promise new efforts for peace

Published: 2003-12-04

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Vatican and Jewish leaders have condemned violence against innocents and urged new efforts to instruct their own faith communities in "the paths of peace." The comments came in a joint statement following a meeting in Jerusalem Dec. 1-3 of a commission representing the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the chief rabbinate of Israel. It was the commission's third meeting over the last two years, and this session focused on shared teachings in Scripture and their relevance for contemporary society. The joint statement expressed deep appreciation for recent statements of Pope John Paul II and other Vatican officials against acts of terrorism and against resurgent manifestations of anti-Semitism. It said the Catholic and Jewish leaders agreed that religious educators have a crucial role in forming younger generations, and in teaching them to live out their religious values in a complex modern society.

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