The Jewish community of Rome, Western Europe's oldest urban community, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the construction of its synagogue in May 2004. Situated on the banks of the Tiber River, the Synagogue of Rome is only a short walk from the Vatican, but for centuries, much more than distance separated the Roman Catholic Church from the Jewish people of Rome and elsewhere. In recent decades, however, historic actions have been undertaken to heal the rift between the two communities.

In honor of the centenary of the Synagogue, Chief Rabbi Riccardi Di Segni invited Pope John Paul II to visit the Synagogue for the first time since his historic visit of 1986. Although the Pope was unable to personally attend the centenary celebrations, he sent as his delegates Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, and Cardinal Camillo Ruini, president of the Italian Bishops' Conference.

The CCJU sent a letter of congratulation and expressed gratitude to Rabbi Di Segni, Cardinal Kasper and Cardinal Ruini, recognizing their commitment to the ongoing renewal of relations between Jews and Christians worldwide. The letter stated:

When the Holy Father visited this synagogue in 1986, he made history as the first pope to set foot in a synagogue since the time when Christianity began. The visit was a unique and powerful one, and so was his message that God's covenant with Judaism is irrevocable. The visit by Cardinal Walter Kasper and Cardinal Camillo Ruini will reinforce and advance the dramatic and unprecedented positive shift in Jewish and Christian relations – the recognition and acknowledgment of the spiritual patrimony shared by Jews and Christians. We at the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding support and applaud this important work and ask God's continued blessing upon you.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, Executive Director
Anthony J. Cernera, Ph.D., President, Sacred Heart University
David L. Coppola, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director

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