Final Document: Catholic-Jewish Bilateral Commission Meeting
Final Document: Catholic-Jewish Bilateral Commission Meeting
Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews & Israeli Delegation for Relations with the Catholic Church
Freedom of Religion and Conscience and its Limits
The following is the Final Document of the Delegation of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel's Delegation for Relations with the Catholic Church-Bilateral Commission Meeting, which was held in Jerusalem, 11-13 March 2007: 21-23 Adar 5767.
1. At the seventh meeting of the above commission, held in Jerusalem, the chairmen Cardinal Jorge Mejia and Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen noted the significance of the number seven within the biblical tradition as indicating fullness and maturity. They expressed the hope that the fullness of the relationship between the Catholic and the Jewish members of this commission will be a source of blessing to both faith communities and the world at large.
Cardinal Mejia also noted the recent passing of Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, former president of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and a central figure in the historic transformation in Catholic-Jewish relations. May his memory always be for a blessing.
2. The subject of the meeting was the Freedom of Religion and Conscience and its Limits. The human capacity to choose is a manifestation of the Divine Image in which all people are created (cf. Gn 1:26-27) and is foundational for the biblical concept of human responsibility and divine justice (cf. Dt 30:19).
3. God has created the human person as a social being, which by definition places limits on individual human freedom. Moreover, freedom of choice is derived from God and therefore is not absolute, but must reflect divine will and law. Accordingly, human beings are called to freely obey the divine will as manifested in Creation and in his revealed Word.
Jewish tradition emphasizes the Noachide Covenant (cf. Gn 9:9-12) as containing the universal moral code which is incumbent on all humanity. This idea is reflected in Christian Scripture in the Book of Acts 15:28-29.
4. Accordingly, the idea of moral relativism is antithetical to this religious world view and poses a serious threat to humanity. Even though the Enlightenment helped bring about a purification from the abuse of religion, secular society still requires religious foundations to sustain lasting moral values. Critical among these is the principle of the sanctity of human life and dignity. Ethical monotheism affirms these as inviolable human rights and therefore can provide inspiration in this regard for society at large.
5. While on principle the State should not at all limit freedom of religion for individuals and communities nor of moral conscience, it has the responsibility to guarantee the well-being and security of society. Accordingly, it is obliged to intervene wherever and whenever a threat is posed by the promotion, teaching or exercise of violence and specifically terrorism and psychological manipulation in the name of religion.
6. In addition to respecting the freedom of religious choices, the integrity of faith communities should also be guaranteed. Accordingly, it is legitimate for a society with a predominant religious identity to preserve its character as long as this does not limit the freedom of minority communities and individuals to profess their alternative religious commitments, nor to limit their full civil rights and status as citizens, individuals and communities. This obliges us all to safeguard the integrity and dignity of holy sites, places of worship and cemeteries of all religious communities.
7. In the course of history, religious communities have not always been faithful to these values. Therefore, there is a special obligation upon religious leaders and communities to prevent the improper use of religion and to educate towards respect for diversity, which is essential in order to ensure a healthy, stable and peaceful society.
In this regard, there is a special role for families, schools and the Authorities of State and society as well as the media to impart these values to future generations.
In conclusion, the bilateral commission, having met in the Holy City of Jerusalem, expressed the prayer that the Almighty would bless and inspire both religious and political leaders in the region and beyond to work determinedly to promote peace, dignity, security and tranquility in the Holy Land for all its peoples and for the world as a whole.
13 March 2007 – 23 Adar 5767
Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen
(Chairman of the Jewish Delegation)
Chief Rabbi Ratson Arussi
Chief Rabbi Yossef Azran
Chief Rabbi David Brodman
Chief Rabbi David Rosen
Mr. Oded Wiener
Cardinal Jorge Mejia
(Chairman of the Catholic Delegation)
Cardinal Georges Collier, O.P.
Archbishop Antonio Franco
Archbishop Elias Chacour
Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo
Mons. Pier Francesco Fumagalli
Fr. Norbert J. Hofmann, S.D.B.
Taken from:
L'Osservatore Romano
Weekly Edition in English
25 April 2007, page 8
L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See.
The Weekly Edition in English is published for the US by:
The Cathedral Foundation
L'Osservatore Romano English Edition
320 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Subscriptions: (410) 547-5315
Fax: (410) 332-1069
lormail@catholicreview.org
