Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 795

national Liaison Committee, dialogue is only serious and honest when it re-

spects differences and recognizes others precisely in their otherness. A sincere

dialogue needs both openness and a firm sense of identity on both sides, in

order for each to be enriched by the gifts of the other.

In recent months, I have had the pleasure of meeting with Jewish com-

munities in New York, Paris and here in the Vatican. I thank the Lord for

these encounters, and for the progress in Catholic-Jewish relations which

they reflect. In this spirit, then, I encourage you to persevere in your im-

portant work with patience and renewed commitment. I offer you my prayer-

ful good wishes as your Committee prepares to meet next month in Budapest

with a delegation of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the

Jews, in order to discuss the theme: ''Religion and Civil Society Today''.

With these sentiments, dear friends, I ask the Almighty to continue to

watch over you and your families, and to guide your steps in the way of

peace.