Without hiding the problems, father Neuhaus says that such issues as "the centrality of the Word, the value of the family and life, the fight against laicism can be a shared ground to make further progress both historically and spiritually. In addition, these subjects are covered by the permanent dialogue between the Vatican and the Israeli Rabbinate, where rabbi Cohen is a very authoritative spokesman". He is instead more realistic about the possibility that the rabbi’s presence at the Synod may promote the acceptance of the Catholic communities of Jewish expression: "ours are small communities. Speaking of converted Jews means dealing with a sensitive issue, so it will take time and the Jews must feel confident that we have no intention of making converts".
