Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence of Sydney's Great Synagogue has commended the Catholic Church on four decades of rapprochement with the Jews while recalling that his grandparents had to flee Berlin 70 years ago.
Pope Benedict XVI.
Photo: AP [file]
Some 40 interfaith leaders, including Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus, attended a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at St. Mary's Cathedral over the weekend.
Speaking on behalf of the Jewish community, Lawrence said he was delighted to meet someone "who has devoted so much of his life to the spiritual enrichment of our world."
In his address, the pope, in Australia for the World Youth Day festival, urged all religions to unite against terrorism.
"In a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate forms of violence, the unified voice of religious people urges nations and communities to resolve conflict through peaceful means and with full regard for human dignity," he said.
Later the same day, the Stations of the Cross were re-enacted despite fears that it could spark anti-Semitism. But in a statement, New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff said: "We commend the organizers and television commentators of the Stations of the Cross for their sensitive treatment of the story of Jesus's Passion. We were especially moved by the reference in the commentary to the Church's rejection of anti-Jewish teachings."
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