Catholics and Jews deplore any deeds of violence against the Christians as well as episodes of anti-Semitism all over the world. It is written in the final declaration made known today, at the end of the 20th International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee Meeting (ILC Budapest, 9-12 November). "We continue to deplore religiously motivated violence it is written in the text – and take particular note of outbursts against Christians in India and Iraq and anti-Semitic episodes in Europe and the Middle East". "We as religious leaders call on the members of our two traditions to accept their role in promoting respect and mutual understanding. Freedom of religion must be guaranteed to both individuals and communities by the respective religious and civil authorities. Catholics and Jews have an ethical obligation to demonstrate religious responsibility for society and to educate future generation regarding religious values. This is especially important in the current time given the emergent expression of xenophobia, racism and anti-Semitism in parts of Central and Eastern Europe". The note hints also at the world financial crisis, inviting us not to "assign" the blame for the current crisis "to particular religious, economic, social, ethnic, or national group".
