Rome, Italy – In a significant move towards fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Rome Office organized a meeting between the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) and the newly opened World Jewish Congress Representative Office to the Holy See in Rome. The meeting was led by Dr. Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the ZdK, marking her first official visit to Rome in this capacity, and highlighting the importance of collaboration between Catholic and Jewish communities.
The delegation led by Dr. Stetter-Karp met with WJC Executive Vice President Maram Stern, Viktor Eichner, Head of the WJC Representative Office to the Holy See, and Frank Fischer. The meeting served as an opportunity for both sides to exchange questions and explore common concerns and potential partnerships aimed at addressing shared challenges.
Among the topics discussed were the relationship with the Holy See, the fight against antisemitism, and the recent results of the regional elections in Germany. Both sides shared insights and perspectives, reflecting on the implications of these discussions for interfaith relations and broader societal trends.
This visit underscores the commitment of both the Central Committee of German Catholics and the World Jewish Congress to strengthening ties and building mutual understanding through open dialogue and collaboration. Both sides expressed a strong interest in continuing their cooperation and look forward to further opportunities for joint initiatives and partnership in the future.
The full list of participants at the meeting included:
- Dr. Irme Stetter-Karp – President of the ZdK
- Mr. Marc Frings – Secretary General of the ZdK
- Prof. Dr. Claudia Nothelle – Vice-President of the ZdK
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Söding – Vice-President of the ZdK
- Dr. Nino Galetti – Director of the Rome Office of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
- Dr. Francesca Traldi – Research Associate at the Rome Office of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
- Mr. Maram Stern – Executive Vice President of the World Jewish Congress
- Mr. Viktor Eichner – Head of the World Jewish Congress Representative Office to the Holy See
- Mr. Frank Fischer – World Jewish Congress
