What is A.E.C. of Turin ?
Ecumenism and
inter-religious dialogue are creatures of the XXth century.
Particularly, the dialogue between Jews and Christians had a strong
impulse, in Catholicism, with Vatican Council II (ref. Nostra
Aetate, nn. 4-5). Since then, it has been deepened, continued
and lived both in official organisms (the various pontifical
Secretariats) and in many associations, among which the "Jewish-Christian
Friendships"(Amicizie Ebraico-cristiane) throughout the world.
The first "Jewish-Christian Friendship" rose in France, at Lyon, in
1942. In Italy, the first rose in Florence in 1950, thanks to the
efforts of Giorgio La Pira and Jules Isaac (the famous author of
Jesus and Israel). It remained the only one to the 80s, when a
second rose in Rome (1982) and a third one, the ours, in Turin
(1986). Nowadays there are many more associations in Italy and,
since 1988, they are also united in a Federation, which is member of
ICCJ (International Council of Christians and Jews, the
international organism which unites the various AECs of the world).
The AEC of Turin
collects Jews, Christians and laymen. Its aim is, according to the
articles of the association, "to confirm, promote, cultivate and
deepen the knowledge and the friendship between Hebraism and
Christianity" . It promotes, particularly, "the study of
intolerance in all its forms and aspects, and above all, the study
of antisemitism".
The AEC of Turin is faithful to this programme,and has given rise to
many initiatives : conferences, debates and even social trips in
order to directly inform about Jewish reality in Piedmont; it has
created a small "Library of AEC" where books and magazines
concerning both religions are collected; it has promoted the "Monday
Meetings" : since 1989, a group of people meet in the afternoon, one
Monday a month, to socialize and chat about topics concerning the
association.
The "Notebooks of AEC"(Quaderni dell'AEC) have risen from these
meetings (you can see the paper covers on our web page).
If you wish, it is possible to receive them via e-mail :
info@aectorino.org or phone at +39/011.4032685.
These booklets are very simple but, if by reading them, you
appreciate the religion of the other more, and you don't only
consider it unusual or strange, then, we have reached our aim. It
wants to free us from many reciprocal prejudices and intolerances,
which still exist in today's mentality.
Surely we cannot get rid of thousands of years of history in a brief
time : but let's get off the pedistal, let's try to overcome our
fears (they are so many !), let's try to make ourselves respect the
other's opinion, even if at first it sounds a bit strange .
The oecumenical and inter-religious dialogue is a long and difficult
way. It is a daily achievement that we cannot improvise and it has
got nothing to do with proselytism etc. The more you live the
oecumenism the more you realize that the dialogue is practicable,or
rather, it is ,by now, irreversible, in spite of the difficulties.
The basic question still remains: the renewal of the mentality. Well,
associations like ours can contribute to succeed in making this
ideal come true.
Tel. +39/011.4032685