In a private audience with Jewish leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, Pope Benedict XVI said not only that he would “be strong, constant voice against anti-Semitism�?, but also “We need to know each other better an, on the strength of that mutual discovery, to build relationships not just of tolerance but of authentic respect.�?

The pontiff spoke on October 12 of the “many common convictions�? of Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and “that there are numerous areas of humanitarian and social engagement in which we can and must cooperate.�? The pope recalled that the “Nostra Aetate�? declaration of the Second Vatican Council reminds Christians of their Jewish roots, obliging them to overcome the past and create “new bonds of friendship and collaboration. It affirms in particular that the Church deplores all forms of hatred or persecution directed against the Jews and all displays of anti-Semitism at any time and from any source.�?

According to an ADL press release, Pope Benedict gave the personal assurance to Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, that “I will always be there for you in fighting anti-Semitism�?. Foxman said “In offering his most forceful words yet against anti-Semitism, and in expressing remorse for the reaction to his remarks about Islam, Pope Benedict has shown that he is greatly sensitive to the need for a new level of openness and dialogue among the major faiths.�?

Foxman also recalled for the Pope the story of his survival from the Holocaust. Hidden by his Polish nanny, Bronislawa Kurpi, Foxman was baptized and protected from his persecutors. Pope Benedict departed from his prepared remarks and, according to the ADL, in an unprecedented response said “You have touched my heart�?. The ADL statement said that a Vatican expert said he had never seen the Pope leave prepared remarks to offer a personal word to a private Jewish audience.

While in Rome, the ADL delegation also met with Walter Cardinal Kasper, the president for the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, and Rev. Norbert Hoffman, the secretary of the Vatican’s Commission for Relations with Judaism. Cardinal Kasper discussed the need for fostering programs to teach the lessons of Nostra Aetate, the landmark document that repudiated deicide charges against the Jews, stressed the religious bond shared by Jews and Catholics, and reaffirmed the eternal covenant between God and the People of Israel.

The Pope concluded the audience by praying, “May the Eternal One, our Father in heaven bless every effort to eliminate from our world any misuse of religion as an excuse for hatred or violence.�?

SN