Rabbi Henry J Sobel, president of the Rabbinate of the Jewish Congregation of Sao Paulo, Brazil, was one of John Paul II’s invited guests at the convocation for the “Day of Prayer for Peace” held in Assisi on Jan. 24, 2002 Together with Methodist Minister Jaime Wright, Rabbi Sobel dared danger but effectively cooperated with Cardinal Evaristo Arns of Sao Paulo, in unmasking human rights abuses and the many violent deaths occurred during Brazil’s military dictatorships of the 70’s and 80’s. The results of their labors were published as a book, “Brazil: Never Again” which won for them recognition the world over. Rabbi Sobel reflects on his experience in Assisi.
have had the privilage of being invited by the Vatican to represent the Latin
American Jewish Congress in the “Day of Prayer for World Peace,” called by
the Pope in response to the despicable terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington.
On the morning of Thursday Jan. 24, we took the train to Assisi especially reserved for the participants. The Pope entered the train last.
It was moving to see religious leaders of so many different creeds, even representatives of religions which have been in conflict for decades, traveling together on a pilgrimage for peace. During the slow trip, the Pope touched everyone. Through physically weak, he made it a point to go from wagon to wagon, leaning on his walking stick, greeting one by one his 200 or so guests. When he got to me, I gave the Pope a note written by Brazil’s President Fernando Cardoso. Just one sentence: “The 21st century will be the consecration of hope if in it we will be able to end violence and build peace.” The Pope nodded with his head and said in Portuguese “Thank you to the President and Thank-you to the Brazilian people.”
We, as persons of different religious traditions, will tirelessly proclaim that peace and justice are inseparable, and that peace in justice is the only path which humanity can take towards a future of hope…
We reached Assisi around 11:00 am and we were led to our places within the Basilica of Saint Francis. We heard the “witness of peace”: given by the leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church, by the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, by the President of the World Lutheran Federation and by Rabbi Israel Singer, secretary-general of the World Jewish Congress. In his talk, Pope John Paul affirmed unconditionally “There is no religious objective that could justify the use of violence of man against man.”
At about 12:30 each religious group was led to a room for their own prayers. Out of respect for the non-Christian guests, crucifixes had been removed. We, Jews, were exactly ten, a “minuan” and we said our prayers of ‘mincha.” Then, in Hebrew, we sang two songs of peace.
At 1:00 o’clock, we went to a common refectory for lunch were we were served spaghetti and fruit, a simple menu, chosen especially for those of us who have ritual food restrictions. And it was so beautiful to eat all together, Jews and Moslems, Buddhists and Hindus, Shitoist and Confucians, Catholics and Protestants, - and the Pope, of course. All sitting around one single enormous round table. An unforgettable scene.
Afterwards, we returned to the Basilica where each received a lighted lamp. We were then called by name, one by one, and each placed his lamps on top of a round marble table in front of the Pope, symbolizing by this that each one was doing his part in the struggle against the darkness of violence, war and terrorism. At the end of the ceremony, we all recited together a “Peace Pledge.” In part it said: “… We, as persons of different religious traditions, will tirelessly proclaim that peace and justice are inseparable, and that peace in justice is the only path which humanity can take towards a future of hope…”
What will come out of the ecumenical meeting? The answer depends on the strength of our convictions and of the influence we can bear upon our respective communities. But one thing is certain; the pilgrimage to Assisi proved that not all is lost. Terrorist can bring down builds and snuff out thousands of human lives, but they do not have the power to destroy our hope for peace.
Pope John Paul closed the Day of Prayer with “In God’s name let us go, let us weave the tapestry of peace with the golden thread of justice, freedom and forgiveness.”
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)