The Pope’s visit to the Synagogue
Interview with Monsignor Bruno Forte, archbishop of Chieto-Vasto, President of the Commission for Ecumenism and Interreligious dialogue of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to Rome’s synagogue scheduled to take place January 17. For the past 20 years January 17 has marked the Day for reflections on and for the furthering of Jewish-Christian dialogue. “With the wish of ever-closer, ever-authentic Jewish-Christian cooperation and dialogue”.
It was established in 1989, and this year marks the twentieth Day for Jewish-Christian reflection and for the furthering of Jewish Christian dialogue, celebrated January 17. Pope Francis has chosen to pay a visit to the Synagogue of Rome on this very day. It’s the third visit by a Pope to the Synagogue of Rome, after John Paul II and Benedict XVI. It’s a significant date for the Italian Catholic and Jewish population. For the past 20 years, on this very day, round tables, debates on major issues involving the whole of humanity, as well as meetings for biblical reflection, are held throughout the Country. For the past 20 years Italian Jews and Catholics have been meeting in parishes and community halls with the yearning to increase mutual understanding. In 2005, the Italian Bishops’ Conference and the Italian Assembly of Rabbis jointly decided to devote the Day on reflections on one of the Ten Commandments. It’s an implicit history of dialogue and friendship. In a joint message Monsignor Bruno Forte, president of CEI’s Commission for Dialogue, and Rabbi Giuseppe Momigliano, President of the Assembly of Italian Rabbis, conveyed their “heartfelt gratitude to all those who have generously offered us food for thought over the past years”.It’s not only part of a journey undertaken together but rather a “stopover”, as “the journey continues offering us many opportunities for mutual encounter, understanding and growth”.
Monsignor Forte, the Pope has chosen to visit Rome’s synagogue on January 17. What is the significance of this decision?
January 17 was the chosen date as it preceded the Week of Prayer for Christian unity (January 18-25) and thus it highlighted the fact that the faith of Israel is the holy root of Christianity, and of the unity wanted by Christ among His disciples. The choice of this date for Pope Francis’ visit to Rome’s Synagogue highlights the importance He ascribes to Jewish-Christian friendship and to the dialogue it conveys.
In the message for the presentation of the Day you and Rabbi Giuseppe Momigliano reiterate “the need to continue following the path of dialogue initiated twenty years ago”.What is message that you intend to convey? How should this journey of friendship continue?
Over the past years the dialogue was developed taking the Decalogue as our common starting point. It has borne fruits of grace especially as concerns mutual understanding and mutual trust. Thus the dialogue should be continued in the joint belief that it represents an authentic gift that enriches both interlocutors, following the will of God.
Rabbi Di Segni has asked to no longer use the expression “elder brothers” since it brings to mind Jewish-Catholic relations based on “replacement theology”. What is your opinion as a theologian?
Every idea of replacement whereby the Church simply replaces Israel in God’s Plan must be rejected.
For the Apostle Paul Israel and the Church will be restored as one only in the end times, when the Son of Man will return. Until then, – exception made for individual paths of conversion to Christ that have always occurred in the course of history and that are always possible – the two peoples are called to advance according to their respective callings from God and will have to grow in mutual dialogue and service to the Eternal One.
What are the aspirations? Which hopes does Pope Francis usher in, in the dialogue with Judaism? And what is his “strength”?
The aspirations are those of ever-closer, authentic Jewish-Christian friendship and understanding, which I have directly experienced over the past days during my “annual lecture” at the Jewish University of Jerusalem on the invitation of the Department for the Study of Christianity, which is very active in this field and with a large participation of students.
The strength of Pope Francis is his wealth of experience in fraternal dialogue with the Jewish world since his years in Buenos Aires.
This has bestowed upon him a special capacity of encounter with the people that was the people of Jesus, who was a Jew and will be a Jew forever.
