Jewish-Catholic dialogue: respect religious freedom

October 21, 2013

The International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee met in Madrid from October 13 to 16 to discuss “Challenges for Religion in Contemporary Society.”

The meeting, co-chaired by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, and Betty Ehrenberg of the World Jewish Congress, was the committee’s twenty-second since 1971.

“We call on political leaders and governments, on individuals, and on religious leaders and institutions to act to ensure the physical safety and legal protection of all who exercise the fundamental right to religious freedom; to protect the right to change or leave one's religious belief; to protect the right to manifest one's religious beliefs; to educate one's children in accordance with these beliefs,” noted the joint statement that following the meeting. “Among the religious claims under attack today that fall within the right to be protected are the right to religious slaughter, male circumcision, and the use and display of religious symbols in public.”

The statement went on to denounce anti-Semitism and the persecution of Christians.

 

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Further information:

• Joint Statement of the 22nd International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee Meeting, Madrid (Holy See Press Office)
• History of the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee (Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations)