March 29, 2013

Letters to the Editor

Submit a letter to the editor electronically | For our letter writing policy, click here

The Jewish community in Indiana welcomes Pope Francis

The Jewish community wishes to express our warmest sentiments on the election of Pope Francis and this historic milestone in the Catholic Church during a time of such great global change.

The pope’s choice of St. Francis of Assisi as his namesake reminds us all of the great legacy of interfaith peacemaking and dialogue, as well as our collective and abiding commitment to lifting up the least among us.

We are heartened by Pope Francis’ legacy of closeness with the Jewish community, expressed by his profound statement of solidarity with the Jewish people in the aftermath of the 1994 bombing of the Jewish Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that killed 85 people.

And we are deeply moved by the message that Pope Francis sent to the Chief Rabbi of Rome, in which he stated:

“I strongly hope to be able to contribute to the progress of the relations that have existed between Jews and Catholics since Vatican Council II in a spirit of renewed collaboration, and in service of a world that may always be more in harmony with the Creator’s will.”

The Jewish community in Indiana is filled with hope that our cherished friendship with the Catholic community will continue to broaden and deepen.

We offer our blessings and look forward to continuing our work together in the pursuit of just policies for those Hoosiers most in need through our shared and sacred task that Jewish tradition calls “Tikkun Olam”—the repair of the world.

- Todd Maurer, Jewish Community Relations Council president
- Lindsey Mintz, Jewish Community Relations Council executive director

Local site Links:

Like this story? Then share it!