No religious leader can condone terrorism anywhere in the world, the Vatican and Israel's Chief Rabbinate said Monday, declaring terrorist violence "a contradiction in the faith of God."
"It is a profanation of religion to declare oneself a terrorist in the name of God, to do violence to others in his name," the joint statement said.
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, Pope John Paul II has been rallying religious leaders to repudiate violence and to assert that religion must never be used to justify killing.
The joint statement was issued following unprecedented talks last week between Vatican officials and a delegation of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, an Orthodox Jewish body.
The Vatican said the talks over five days in Grottaferrata, outside of Rome, were characterized by an atmosphere of "friendship and mutual trust" and they agreed to continue the dialogue.
The joint statement found common ground on the sanctity of human life, saying that "any attempt to destroy human life must be rejected."
"Our common religious motivation for this central affirmation is based on the biblical statement that the human being is created in the image of the living God, in His likeness."
Taking any human life, including one's own, "even in the name of God is sacrilegious," it said.
The two sides also agreed on the need to protect traditional family values.
"Adults and the young alike are exposed to distorted and perverted aspects of life, such as violence and pornography. As religious leaders we are challenged by these destructive developments," the statement said.
The Vatican has held talks with many rabbis around the world, but it was the first such talks with the Israeli body, which was headed by Rabbi Shar Yishuv Cohen. The Vatican delegation was led by Cardinal Jorge Maria Mejia.