World Catholic, Jewish Leaders Conclude Summit in Cape Town
November 7, 2006 - Cape Town - The first ever summit between the Vatican and world Jewry's interreligious representative body to take place on the African continent has just concluded. The meeting between the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC) and the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with Jewry brought world Jewish and Catholic leaders together in South Africa to discuss ways of addressing the challenges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The meeting of the Catholic and Jewish leaders also explored the imperative and the means to reach out to strengthen the moderate voices within Muslim communities. "The relationship between Catholics and Jews is one of the most remarkable positive transformations in human history," said Rabbi David Rosen, IJCIC president and the American Jewish Committee's head of interreligious affairs. "We have been able to go from transforming our tragic past relationship to working together for the betterment of humanity in keeping with the Biblical imperative to sanctify the Divine Name." South African Vice President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, and Cape Province Premier Ebrahim Rasool, addressed the meeting of Catholic and Jewish leaders, the first such gathering since the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the historic declaration of the Second Vatican Council. Cardinals Kasper of the Vatican, McCarrick of Washington, D.C., and Napier of South Africa were among the principle Catholic participants. In addition to Rabbi Rosen, Rabbi Israel Singer of the World Jewish Congress, who also is chairman of IJCIC, as well as the Chief Rabbis of Israel, South Africa and Poland were prominent among the Jewish delegation.
Ari M. Gordon Program Associate, Intergroup Affairs The American Jewish Committee 165 E56th St. New York, NY 10022 (212) 751-4000 x266 www.ajc.org www.engagingamerica.org