Every year, on January 17, we celebrate the Day for the Deepening and Development of Dialogue between Catholics and Jews, now in its 36th year.

A local Group of the Judeo-Christian Friendship of France is active in the diocese of Besançon, in which Sister Isabelle T., who shares her testimony with us, participates. On the occasion of Peace Day 2025, the shared good wishes also involved brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith.

“In France, in the diocese of Besançon, for the past three years I have been delegated to relations with Judaism: The faith of believers, a source of commitment and reconciliation for the common good.

As part of this service, I have been asked to participate in interfaith meetings with our Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters. For this New Year 2025, with one voice, we drafted a joint letter to present our wishes for peace, justice and fraternity to the entire population.

In the face of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, we felt it more than necessary to reaffirm our common commitment to justice and human dignity. Acts of hatred that seek to sow division cannot divert us from our path. A path we are tracing together in brotherhood, respect and mutual support. Through prayer, meditation and mutual respect, we draw from our texts and teachings ways to act for a better world, where everyone can find his or her place, in freedom and respect. For faith, far from being divisive, is a source of commitment and reconciliation for the common good.

This year we will also organize a conference on the feasts of Pesach, Passover and Eid.

The service of relations with Judaism is in line with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, particularly the document Nostra Aetate on the Church’s Relations with Non-Christian Religions, and more specifically paragraph 4 concerning the Jewish religion.

This Article 4 affirms a clear “no” to anti-Semitism and an unequivocal “yes” to the Jewish roots of Christianity.

The Church cannot forget that it has received Old Testament revelation through this people with whom God made the ancient Covenant and that it is nourished by the root of the holy olive tree on which were grafted the branches of the wild olive tree that are the Gentiles.

“If the root of the tree is holy, so are its branches. Some of these branches have been cut off, but you, the wild olive tree, have been grafted into the branches and now share in the sap that comes from the root of the olive tree. Therefore do not be proud of the branches; despite your pride, it is not you who carry the root, but it is the root that carries you.” St. Paul to the Romans 11:16-18

The Church also deplores all manifestations of anti-Semitism directed against Jews at any time.

In the diocese of Besançon, relations are organized within the local group of the Amitié Judéo-Chrétienne de France (AJCF).

  • The activities of this Group mainly consist of monthly meetings with lectures and debates on topics of reflection and dialogue based on our different Jewish and Christian traditions. These meetings are open to all. Once a year, the group also organizes an evening of singing psalms from the various traditions.
  • The service also develops relationships with the Besançon Jewish community and its representatives. It represents the bishop and carries his message in fraternal meetings with our elder brothers and sisters in the faith. It also conveys actions on behalf of the Catholic Church.
  • The department is in contact with the national department for relations with Judaism of the French Bishops’ Conference.
  • The department also responds to the questions and expectations of the Catholic faithful, who are called to better understand the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and the proper place of the Jewish people in salvation history. It informs parishes and pastoral workers about major events in contemporary Judaism. The service can also meet the needs of catechesis and liturgy.

Yes, in our small way, we try to live together in peace and fraternity.

Sister Isabelle Trémiot, sdc of Ste Jeanne-Antide Thouret