To Representatives of the Jewish Religious Community in Spain (3 November 1982)

On Wednesday, 3 November 1982, the Holy Father addressed the members of the Jewish Religious Community in Spain, to whom he spoke of their common spiritual heritage.

Distinguished Gentlemen.

Shalom! Peace to you and to all members of the Jewish religious community of Spain.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you for wanting to come and visit me during my pastoral visit to this nation. Your significant gesture proves that fraternal dialogue, aimed at improving knowledge and esteem between Jews and Catholics, promoted and strongly recommended by the Second Vatican Council in the declaration Nostra Aetate (cf. Nostra Aetate , 4), continues and spreads more and more , even in the midst of inevitable difficulties.

We have a common spiritual heritage; and the People of the New Testament, that is, the Church, feels and is spiritually linked to the lineage of Abraham, "our father in faith".

I pray to God that the Jewish and Christian tradition, founded on the divine Word, which has a profound awareness of the dignity of the human person who is the image of God (cf. Gen 1, 26), leads us to worship and fervent love for the only and true God. And that this translates into effective action in favor of man, of each man and of the whole man.

Shalom! And may God, Creator and Savior, bless you and your community.

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