Photo: Marianne Ejdersten/World Council of Churches
At the end of a historic meeting, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC ) committed to continue to communicate openly and regularly, to facilitate the joint efforts to affect change identified by the meeting “and to reconvene at regular intervals so that we can advance our respective and mutual responsibilities to our own communities and the world at large.”
The meeting, under the theme ‘the normalisation of hatred: challenges for Jews and Christians today’ took place at a time of challenges both to religious life in general and to each of the communities in their various contexts, said the two groups in a communique.
“Among the issues that informed this gathering were: the rise of xenophobic nationalist movements in much of the world; suspicion of the agendas of religious communities and institutions, especially in Europe; the resurgence of overt antisemitism; the prevalence of Islamophobia; newly emerging anti-Christian attitudes; the continuing non-resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; worldwide hostility to vulnerable minorities; and the shocking erosion of civil society in many places and ways.
“We are particularly horrified by the recent increase in murderous attacks on places of worship in different parts of the world.”
In discussions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it was recognised that there have sometimes been very real tensions between the positions of the WCC and IJCIC.
“This meeting took place with acknowledgement of the development in both more constructive communications and the way that differences are conveyed publicly.
“These discussions in Paris were characterised by openness, honesty, and an attempt to fully empathise with how profoundly important these issues are to Jews and Christians alike.”
The groups also focused on their shared challenge to address injustice in the world and explored ways in which working together “our advocacy and interventions may be forces for good in the world”.
For more information see the WCC website.
Read the full communique.
