Jewish-Christian dialogue: a stepping stone towards peace in the Holy Land

Monday 17th January marks the 1st anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to Rome’s Synagogue when he categorically reaffirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church to dialogue and fraternity with the Jewish People, as well as unequivocally condemning anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism.. January 17th is also the World day for deepening dialogue between Catholics and Jews and it was on this very date in the year 1986 that Pope John Paul II visited the Synagogue of Rome, the first time in history a Pope had ever done so.
Philippa Hitchen has just returned from a journey to the Holy Land during which she accompanied bishops from Europe and North America on their annual pilgrimage in solidarity with Christians of the Holy Land. Whilst in Jerusalem, Philippa spoke to Hana Bendcowsky, the acting Director of Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations, an organisation that promotes understanding and dialogue between Christians and Jews in the Holy Land...