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Speech by Abbot Benedikt Lindemann OSB
at the Presentation of Mount Zion Award 2005
Your Eminence, my dear Walter Cardinal Kasper, Excellencies, my dear Rabbi Rosen, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome you cordially to the presentation of this year's Mt. Zion Award. Every two years this award is bestowed on individuals or institutions that have merited recognition either in the area of Jewish-Christian issues, specifically in overcoming prejudice, or in the trialogue of the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In the statutes of the Mt. Zion Foundation we read that the contributions should be significant, not only regional, causing others to follow their example. The award is not so much meant to honor the life achievement of the recipient, but rather to honor his courage to follow his conviction in the face of resistance and prejudice. The award is less a decoration than it is an encouragement to continue on that chosen path.
In 1986 Rev. Wilhelm Salberg established the Mt. Zion Foundation. As the son of Jewish-Christian parents, he himself experienced the indescribable injustice of Nazi Germany, the human deceit, the hatred and fanaticism. Of Wilhem Salberg's family, eleven relatives can be found in the archives of Yad Vashem. Out of his painful past grew a fearless commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. Reconciliation between Jews and Christians was his life goal. On the 5th of July, 2005, Father Salberg would have celebrated his 80th birthday. The man, his vitality and his commitment will be remembered by many. May he rest in peace!
Usually the presentation of the Mt. Zion Award takes place on October 28th, the day of the publication of the document "Nostra Aetate" at the Second Vatican Council in 1965. This important document contains the description of the relationship of the Catholic Church towards non-Christian religions. With the 40th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate in mind, we chose this year's recipient from a long list of nominations. I am certain that the founder of the award would joyfully support your nomination, my dear Rabbi Rosen.
Unfortunately Prof. Verena Lenzen, head of the Institute for Jewish-Christian Research in Lucerne, is not here to celebrate with us. Today she is attending a ceremony in which Prof. Dr. Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Lucerne.
My dear David, I am very happy to be able to present to you today, in the name of the Mt. Zion Foundation, the Mt. Zion Award here in our Benedictine Abbey in Jerusalem. In the name of the Abbey and every one here, I would also like to congratulate you on the bestowing of the "Knighthood of St. Gregory the Great" to you by the Holy See.
It is a special honor that His Eminence, Walter Cardinal Kasper, Secretary of The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity & Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, Rome, will present the laudatio. This is an indication of the positive climate in the Jewish Christian Dialogue. Thank you, dear Cardinal Kasper, for coming and for this important gesture here in Jerusalem, the Holy City of the three monotheistic world religions. I would also like to thank all those who contributed the success of this celebration. I thank the Shachar Choir from Rechovot and Br. Ralph for the musical enrichment, Sr. Bernadette and her helpers for the reception they prepared for us. I thank the sacristan and especially all those who worked unseen in the background to make this festive hour possible.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you all a blessed and festive celebration. After the presentation of the award here in the Basilica, I invite you to join us for a reception in the Diwan and the cafeteria of our Abbey. Thank you so much!
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