The world Jewish Congress (WJC) has called on the policy dialogue of the religions more boost. Private initiatives were not sufficient, said WJC Vice Secretary General Maram Stern of the German wave.
From Sunday to Tuesday deliberated on the invitation of Minister of foreign Affairs, Sigmar Gabriel, more than 100 religious dignitaries from all over the world about “peace responsibility of the religions”. The Ministry of foreign Affairs dedicated to the subject in the future, even a private work area. Among the participants of the Dialogue, Maram was a star from the world Jewish Congress.
Deutsche Welle: Mr. Stern, how would you sum up the discussions on the Initiative of foreign Minister Gabriel?
Stern: First of all, I congratulate the Foreign office that such a conference be convened. It is not the most Normal thing in a foreign Minister, to take care of the issue of religions and religious representatives invites. The diplomacy recognizes that Religion is a part of society and that religions are stronger for a peaceful world would have to contribute.
Bring something such dialogue events?
For me, it is a Problem that we are at these events over the years, always the same people Involved. We know ourselves to be. Everything is beautiful. But then we come back in our daily lives. Since it is then more difficult. And in the Muslim world, there is no hierarchy of dignitaries. You have no one who can truly say, speaking for his group.
Can reach the policy still something?
Then the diplomacy would have to force the representatives of a Religion really, to talk to each other. If a Ministry like the Foreign office locks them together in a room, the key threw it away, and says, “will be re-Opened until, when you have to talk to each other”, then that would be good. In the private initiative, such a thing will never work. It takes someone whose position is strong enough. As in the case of a foreign Minister, it is. And a theme could have a first something of the various religions with a common interest, such as – for example – the threat of restrictions in European countries against the requirements for meat, the kosher or halal.
We come now to a concrete example of interfaith cooperation. Mr. Stern, in front of the Berlin conference they were in Rome. There, the Vatican museums and the Jewish Museum opened an Exhibition about the culture and history of the seven-branched candelabrum, the menorah. It is the first joint exhibition by the Vatican and the Jewish community at all. Why was this important to you?
The exhibition, as such, is fascinated, she is incredibly well-made and instructive. But the most Important thing and really the most Beautiful for me is that the Vatican was willing to work with the Jewish community in Rome such an exhibition. This is not, of course, on the contrary. And the Vatican, shows the objects, never before seen publicly. Politically, this Show is for me in the story.
Between the Jewish world Congress and the Catholic Church, but there is a tried-and-tested dialogue.
You mean today, the Vatican would talk for a hundred years with us. No. When I started 32 years ago to work for the world Jewish Congress, it was impossible to get a cardinal or a Bishop on a call. Out of fear or whatever. And today it is the most natural thing of the world. We communicate on all levels with each other. Whether it is a Pope, a cardinal or a Bishop. This shows me: the dialogue can bring so much.
The Jewish-Catholic dialogue. What is it with the Protestants, who are celebrating the anniversary of the Reformation, from 1517 the Protestant Church. In the Luther town of Wittenberg in the reformation of the year, protests against the medieval abusive sculpture “Kike” on the outside wall of the town Church. It shows a pig at the teat of the Jews to suckle. Should be removed from the sculpture?
No, not remove. We can’t change the history. On The Contrary. We should learn from it and work on it. A tablet could easily explain why it came to this view and that this view is outdated.
Has talked the Evangelical Church on this issue?
No. I am very sorry that we have with the Evangelical Church in Germany is no longer a regulated dialogue. Several times I’ve tried, in the EKD approach. All of them are polite and nice – but is not a regular exchange of views, it came so far. And I deeply regret that. With the Church Congress, a broader view of the facets of the Jewish faith. That would change in a better dialogue will probably also see the Jewish-Catholic dialogue.
Maram Stern, 61, is the Vice-Secretary General of the world Jewish Congress (WJC). He is in the Jewish world governing body is also responsible for inter-religious dialogue.
The interview by Christoph Strack.