"Special attention," during the Synod of Bishops "was given to the relationship between Christians and Jews." "This is natural," explains Mgr Nicola Eteroviæ "given the special relationship existing between Christians and Jews with their Sacred Scripture, that have much in common, called by the Christians Old Testament. The presence of the Chief Rabbi in Haifa, Shear-Yashuv Cohen, at the Synod highlighted the religious aspects of the Christian-Jewish dialogue." The synodal reflection, adds Mgr Eteroviæ, "has also focused on the traditional religions of different people, as well as on the great Asian religions with their sacred books. The importance of the Christian-Muslim dialogue has also been stressed. Particular reference has been made to the respect of ethic values, i.e. life, to the promotion of peace and justice and to the mutual respect of the freedom of conscience and religion." "Concerning the Christians," said the bishops "we noticed that the Word of God, once a cause of division, is becoming a uniting factor even though the real union is not complete yet." Finally, a reference to the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, whose words have been cheered with "joy and emotion." ” ” ” “
