Pope's visit to Synagogue of Rome

Much coverage, and rightly so, has been given to Pope Benedict XVI's historic and courageous visit to the Synagogue of Rome on January 17 of this year.

This second visit, made by the Roman Pontiff to the Roman Jewish Community is all the more particular. It not only portrays the Catholic Church's mature closeness to our "elder brothers and sisters in faith," but principally, because it was done by a German Pope. It was natural that Pope John Paul II earned the sympathy and affection of the Jews in Rome when he visited their synagogue almost 24 years ago, precisely on April 13, 1986. Besides having close Jewish friends from his childhood, during the last World War Karol Woytola was on the oppressed part. On the contrary, Joseph Ratzinger, the current Pontiff, was on the oppressors' part. In this perspective, I imagine that this visit must have been a somewhat challening task for Pope Ratzinger.

Nevertheless, the Holy Father faced this challenge with an utmost faith, hope and love in the Lord. Bearing in mind that his ministry [is] "at the service of reconciliation and harmony between persons and peoples," Pope Benedict steered his Synagogue visit on Pope John XXIII's famous aphorism: 'Let us seek that which unites us and not that which divides.' Riccardo Pacifici, the President of the Jewish Community of Rome, said in his speech: "The silence of pope Pius XII on the Shoah still hurts as an undelivered gesture. A sign from the pope might not have stopped the trains of death, but it would have sent a signal, a word of consolation and human solidarity towards our brothers transported to the chimneys of Auschwitz." In his address, the Holy Father, while acknowledging the indifference displayed by many, rightly affirmed that the Church, both officially and unofficially greatly helped the Jews from the systemically planned extermination.

"Unfortunately, many remained indifferent, but many, including Italian Catholics, sustained by their faith and by Christian teaching, reacted with courage, often at risk of their lives, opening their arms to assist the Jewish fugitives who were being hunted down, and earning perennial gratitude. The Apostolic See itself provided assistance, often in a hidden and discreet way".

The gradual and eventual healing of memory is vital towards a sound reconciliation and a fruitful cooperation.

Pope Benedict XVI's was rapid to acknowledge the Catholic Church's responsibility for the tragic fate of millions of Jews throughout history. Nevertheless, the past has to be slowly surpassed for a brighter future steeped in dialogue, fraternity and friendship" between Jews and Christians.

"Furthermore, the Church has not failed to deplore the failings of her sons and daughters, begging forgiveness for all that could in any way have contributed to the scourge of anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism. May these wounds be healed forever!"

Building on Pacifici's appeal that dialogue between Jews and Christians "can and must continue", Pope Benedict proposed three areas in which such a healthy dialogue can prove beneficial to the global human community, namely witnessing to one God, respect and protection of human life, and promoting the sanctity of the family.

The Ten Commandments are the privileged vehicle through which Jews and Christians can cooperate and bear witness together.

Firstly, "the Ten Commandments' require that we recognise the one Lord, against the temptation to construct other idols, to make golden calves... Reawakening in our society openness to the transcendent dimension, witnessing to the one God, is a precious service which Jews and Christians can offer together". Secondly, "the Ten Commandments call us to respect life and to protect it against every injustice and abuse, recognizing the worth of each human person". Lastly, the Decalogue powerfully invites to "preserve and to promote the sanctity of the family, in which the personal and reciprocal, faithful and definitive 'Yes' of man and woman makes room for the future, for the authentic humanity of each, and makes them open, at the same time, to the gift of new life".

May Jews and Christians keep joining forces in their invaluable testimony to the highest value of life, which is the paramount guarantor for justice and peace in our shattered world.