Three Years of Vatican-Israel Accord: Where Do We Go From Here?

6 March 1997

---

retrospective view of the three years of diplomatic ties between the Vatican and the State of Israel will be held at The Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America on April 8 and 9.

The Catholic University and the Embassy of Israel are sponsoring two days of discussions and presentations, which will feature senior representatives of the Vatican and Israel, academic scholars, and theologians involved in the Catholic-Jewish dialogue established with the Accord of December 30, 1993.

"We want this conference to be part of the ongoing dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community," said Bernard Dobranski, dean of the Columbus School of Law. "It will be the first serious analysis anywhere of the Vatican-Israel Accord," he said, and will consider Vatican-Israel relations in the broader context of the Arab-Israeli "peace process."

Titled "The Fundamental Agreement Between the Holy See and the State of Israel: A Third Anniversary Perspective," the conference will explore the potential of the relationship between the Vatican and Israel, and the theological changes in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish Community, including relations between American Catholics and American Jews.

Among those scheduled to participate are:

• The Rev. Claudio Maria Celli, secretary of the administration of the patrimony of the Apostolic See and chief Vatican negotiator
• The Hon. Eliahu Ben-Elissar, Israel's ambassador to the United States
• Cardinal Bernard Law, archbishop of Boston
• The Rev. Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, the apostolic nuncio in Israel
• The Hon. Shmuel Hadas, Israel's former ambassador to the Holy See
• Shlomo Gur, minister, deputy chief of mission, Embassy of Israel
• Professor Ruth Lapidoth, Hebrew University School of Law

Inquiries: Annamarie DeCarlo, director of media relations, 202-319- 5600; or Frank Persico, director of external and student affairs, 202-319- 5491. For a preliminary program call 202-319-6074.

Cybercast live at Columbus School of Law or Vatican-Israel Accord using Real Audio (free software at the sites).

Don't miss our most recent News Releases or our on-line speech texts.

To the Top of this page
Return to the News Release main page
Return to the News Release Archive main page
The Catholic University of America home page

Any questions or comments? cua-public-affairs@cua.edu

Revised: 27 October 1997

All contents copyright © 1997.
The Catholic University of America,
Office of Public Affairs.