40th Anniversary of Vatican II Document on Christians and Jews: Sister Isobel Smyth

Reception at Archbishop's House, Edinburgh

Speech by Sister Isobel Smyth

Tuesday 15 November 2005

We are here to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the publication of Nostra Aetate, the document which has become for Catholics the Magna Carta of inter-faith relations. I am sure the Cardinal will speak about the document itself and so I would simply like to make a few introductory remarks. Reflecting on this gathering I was aware of how blessed the Jewish and Christian community are in their leaders at this time. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict have shown by example and exhortation their commitment to inter faith relations and the Chief Rabbi has often spoken out about their importance. The Chief Rabbi has also welcomed people of all faiths into his home in the way that the Cardinal is doing this evening and I would like to thank the Cardinal for all he does to promote good relations between people of faith in Scotland.

Recently some of us were fortunate to hear Ram Mohan Ghandi when he visited Scotland. As a grandson of Mahatma Gandhi he talked quite a bit about non-violent protest and it struck me that inter-faith is a kind of non-violent protest. It is a protest against those people who think that religion is a private affair and that people of faith should not speak out about national concerns and issues, it is a protest against those who think that they should remain safe and secure in their own community without regard for the common good of their fellow citizens, it is a protest against those who want only to see through the lens of their own faith without recognising the point of view of others, it is a protest against those who have no interest in learning about the concerns and beliefs of others.

At this gathering, therefore, I would like to salute the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities for taking the initiative in organising this event and hope that it takes us one more small step towards a peaceful and harmonious Scotland.

Sister Isabel Smyth OBE
former Director of the Scottish Inter-faith Council