A Call to Renew Dialogue and Hope

A Call to Renew Dialogue and Hope



On October 28, 1965, the Second Vatican Council promulgated Nostra Aetate, a groundbreaking declaration that forever changed the Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions – especially Judaism and Islam. Sixty years later, St. James Vicariate for Hebrew speaking Catholics in Israel joins the universal Church in commemorating this milestone, reaffirming our commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and mutual respect. In a time of renewed tensions and fragile hope, we are called to remember and re-commit to the transformative spirit of this document.

Nostra Aetate affirms the enduring covenant between God and the Jewish people, explicitly rejects antisemitism, and absolves Jews of collective responsibility for the death of Jesus. It reminds us that Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew, and that Christianity is deeply rooted in Judaism.

The Catholic Church continues to uphold this teaching with clarity and conviction. Pope Leo XIV, in his first address to Jewish leaders, pledged to “continue and strengthen the Church’s dialogue and cooperation with the Jewish people in the spirit of Nostra Aetate,” even amid “conflicts and misunderstandings.” He added: “Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges… Even in these difficult times, it is necessary to continue the momentum of this precious dialogue of ours.”[1]

In the spirit of Nostra Aetate, we also reaffirm our commitment to dialogue and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims. The Holy Land is home to centuries of shared history, spiritual heritage, and coexistence between our communities. Despite the challenges posed by political conflict and social tensions, we believe that authentic encounter – rooted in faith, dignity, and compassion – can foster understanding and peace. As Pope Francis has reminded us, “the dialogue between Christianity and Islam may be a decisive factor for peace in the world today.”[2]

Yet, we must also acknowledge the tensions that have emerged in recent years. The terrorist attack on October 7th, the war in Gaza, the suffering of civilians, and differing narratives have strained Catholic-Jewish and Catholic-Muslim relations. Some Church statements have been mistakenly perceived as lacking balance, while she has courageously defended human dignity and condemned violence. These moments remind us that dialogue is not always easy – but it is always necessary.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently noted that interreligious dialogue in the Holy Land is “in crisis.” Public meetings between Christians, Jews, and Muslims have become rare, and rebuilding trust will require “an enormous effort.”[3]

As the local Church of the Holy Land, we recognize our unique responsibility to foster understanding in this sacred yet wounded region. We call upon all faith communities to renew the spirit of Nostra Aetate – not only in documents and declarations, but in grassroots encounters, shared prayers, and acts of solidarity.

Let this anniversary be not only a celebration of the past, but a recommitment to the future. In the words of Pope Leo XIV: “Being men and women of dialogue means remaining deeply rooted in the Gospel and in the values that flow from it and, at the same time, cultivating openness, listening and dialogue with those who come from other backgrounds, always placing the human person, human dignity, and our relational and communal nature at the centre.”[4]

We must renew with courage and humility the spirit of dialogue in the Holy Land today. I invite all people of faith and goodwill to join us – in prayer, in dialogue, and in action – as we renew the promise of Nostra Aetate.

Fr. Piotr Zelazko

Patriarchal Vicar of St. James Vicariate for Hebrew-Speaking Catholics in Israel

[1] Address to Representatives of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities, and Other Religions (19 May 2025). 

[2] General Audience (6 February 2019).

[3] Jerusalem Cardinal: Interreligious Dialogue Currently in 'Crisis'. Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service (21 August 2024).

[4] Address to Members of the "Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue" (29 September 2025).