George A. Sprecace M.D.,
J.D., F.A.C.P. and Allergy Associates of New
London,
P.C.
www.asthma-drsprecace.com
Statement of Catholic-Jewish Commission
Not Everything That Is Technically Feasible Is Morally Acceptable
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 20, 2010
(Zenit.org).- Here is the English-language statement released today
upon the conclusion of a four-day meeting of the Bilateral Commission
of the Holy See and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which ended today in
the Vatican.
* * *
1. The ninth meeting of the above Commission, was held
in Rome, following the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Great
Synagogue which had been attended also by the members of the Commission
and at which the Pope categorically confirmed the commitment of the
Catholic Church and its will to deepen dialogue and fraternity with
Judaism and the Jewish People in accordance with Nostra Aetate, the
subsequent teachings of the Magisterium and in particular of his
predecessor John Paul II. "On this path we can walk together aware of
the differences that exist between us, but also aware of the fact that
when we succeed in uniting our hearts and our hands in response to the
Lord's call, His light comes closer and shines on all the peoples of
the world" (Papal Address at the Synagogue of Rome, 17 January 2010,
sect. 8). The Pope specifically praised the work, significance and
achievements of the Bilateral Commission about to hold its meeting on
the subject of Catholic and Jewish teaching on Creation and the
Environment and wished the Commission a "profitable dialogue on such a
timely and important theme".
2. The meeting was opened by the chairmen Cardinal
Jorge Mejía and Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen who paid tribute
to the late Ambassador Shmuel Hadas whose contribution was so
instrumental in the establishment of the commission.
3. The opening presentations focused on the tensions
between secular environmentalist movements and religious perspectives
and emphasized that biblical teaching views nature as being endowed
with sanctity that flows from the Creator. It is He who has charged
humanity as the summit of his inherently good Creation (cf. Gen 1:31)
with the obligation of responsible custodianship (cf. Gen 2:15).
Accordingly while freedom and autonomy are given to humanity to develop
and advance the natural resources, as it is written "the Heavens are
the Heavens of the Lord and earth has been given to humankind" (Ps
115:16), these must always be expressed in a manner that respects
Divine sovereignty of the Universe, as it is written "the earth is the
Lord's and all that is in it" (Ps 24:1).
4. Humankind today faces a unique environmental crisis
which is substantially the product of unbridled material and
technological exploitation. While this challenge must obviously be
addressed through the necessary technical means as well as self
restraint, humility and discipline; the participants emphasized the
essential need for society to recognize the transcendent dimension of
Creation that is critical to ensure sustainable development and
progress in an ethically responsible manner. Not everything that is
technically feasible is morally acceptable. It is this consciousness
that ensures that every aspect of human advancement promotes the
wellbeing of future generations and sanctifies the Divine Name, just as
its absence leads to destructive consequences for humanity and
environment and profanes the Divine Name.
5. The Biblical Tradition that gives unique dignity to
the human person must not be understood in terms of domination but in
terms of respect and solidarity. This requires of us a sense of a
"human ecology" in which our responsibility for the eco-system is bound
up with and reflective of our obligations to one another and in
particular "a special generosity towards the poor, towards women and
children, strangers, the sick, the weak and the needy" (Papal Address
at the Synagogue of Rome, 17 January 2010, sect. 7).
6. The ethical aspect of human intervention in the
natural order lies in the limitation on the power of science and its
claim to absoluteness, and in the expression of human solidarity and
moral responsibility towards all. To that end the bilateral commission
strongly urges that all scientific innovation and development work in
close consultation with religious ethical guidance. Similarly States
and international bodies should engage in close consultation with
religious ethical leadership in order to ensure that progress be a
blessing rather than a curse. A genuine environmental ethic is a key
condition for world peace and harmony.
7. Above all, the critical importance of a moral
religious education at all levels was highlighted in order to guarantee
responsible scientific and social development.
Rome, January 19th, 2010 Shvat 4th, 5770
Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen
(Chairman of the Jewish Delegation)
Chief Rabbi Ratson Arussi
Chief Rabbi David Brodman
Chief Rabbi Joseph Levi
Chief Rabbi David Rosen
Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber
Mr. Oded Wiener
Jorge Cardinal Mejía
(Chairman of the Catholic Delegation)
Patriarch Fouad Twal
Archbishop Elias Chacour
Archbishop Antonio Franco
Archbishop Bruno Forte
Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo
Mons. Pier Francesco Fumagalli
P. Pierbattista Pizzaballa O.F.M.P. Norbert J. Hofmann
S.D.B.