ROMA – There was a period, between the end of the sixties and the early seventies, in which in the corridors of the Virgilio classical high school, in via Giulia, a group of Roman boys met their eyes destined to make their way in life. From Francesco De Gregori to the late David Sassoli, president of the European Parliament, from the founder of the community of Sant’Egidio, Andrea Riccardi, to the new president of the CEI, “don Matteo” Zuppi. In those classrooms it also grows and forms Riccardo Di Segnifor over twenty years the chief rabbi of the Jewish community of Rome.
The head of the Italian Church and the head of the Roman Jewish community, both always at the forefront of interreligious dialogue, who grew up in the same high school in the same years. A surprising coincidence, but did you date as kids?
“In fact, the circumstance is striking even if, in truth, I was older than him: I graduated in ’67 and I was also a year ahead. Do you want to know another one? My classmate at the high school was Pio Cerocchi , who would become director of the People … I don’t remember, however, having frequented Don Matteo at the time, but I do remember Andrea Riccardi, who later founded Sant’Egidio. Even today we play on this team concept … “.
With Zuppi, on the other hand, did you find yourself as adults?
“Yes, of course, there have been many occasions and many encounters, also because I personally have always had intense and cordial relations with the community of Sant’Egidio, of which Zuppi was one of the pillars. I particularly remember a funny episode of him. Once, with a rabbinic delegation, we were received by the Pope at the Vatican. At the end of the audience, on the threshold of the papal study, Don Matteo arrived, summoned for an interview after us. It was so strange to meet in that place and, as soon as we passed glances, a questioning smile appeared spontaneously on both faces. Our expression betrayed the same thought: what are you doing here? “.
You welcomed two popes in the temple of Rome, Benedict XVI and Francis. What will the dialogue with you Jews be like with Zuppi?
“We have consolidated relations and official channels with the Italian Bishops’ Conference, there are designated places where common problems are discussed. I mean by this that the road is already open, but certainly with Zuppi this road now becomes wider and perhaps the difficulties that sometimes arise will be more easily resolved. Even with the rabbinate of Bologna in recent years, relations with the cardinal have been more direct than official “.
Is it easier to talk to Zuppi?
“The Church-Institution has its rules, we with Sant’Egidio have another type of communication, there is also a relationship of friendship. But let’s stop here, I wouldn’t want to ruin his curriculum!”.
Many observers expect a change from the past. Not so much with respect to the presidency of Cardinal Bassetti, as in the long run it belonged to Ruini and Bagnasco. Do you think there will be differences?
“I do not allow myself to judge in someone else’s house, as an external observer I can have a partial and perhaps even distorted vision. From a cultural point of view it is clear that Zuppi’s type of approach is different. He is a street priest, a religious who lives next to people. You have seen the media impact of the appointment, the atmosphere that already surrounds him … “.
The theologian Vito Mancuso wrote that the world we live in seems to belong more to the devil than to God, there is less and less room for religious sentiment. In this time, what can be the common contribution of two religious like you?
“There is an obligation to bear witness to values that are reflected in coherence and personal example, the idea of a religion lived not as a coercion. In general, a different vision of reality, in the sign of help and support to the other, not of power “.
And as Jews, what do you expect from the Church of Zuppi and what do you ask?
“We ask Cardinal Zuppi the same things we asked of his predecessors: a joint effort on educational and training problems, a commitment in the fight against intolerance, the presentation of Judaism in a friendly way. There will be time to discuss this, in the meantime. I send my most sincere wishes “.