By: Staff, October 28, 2025
On October 28, 2025, the Roman Catholic Bishops of the Netherlands marked the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s landmark declaration on the Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions. In a public letter, the bishops emphasized the enduring relevance of the document and urged renewed commitment to interreligious dialogue, especially amid rising anti-Semitism and discrimination against Muslims in Dutch society.
Nostra aetate, promulgated in 1965, calls Catholics to recognize the shared spiritual heritage among religious traditions and to foster mutual understanding, peace, and justice. The bishops reiterated this message, stating:
“Difference and commonality are not mutually exclusive.”
They warned that societal divisions are growing and that many people are retreating into isolated groups, losing opportunities to learn from one another. In response, they called for a “movement of hope,” encouraging parishes, families, and communities to become places of encounter, encouragement, and visible faith in action.
The letter was signed by Bishop Johannes H.J. van den Hende, chair of the Dutch Bishops’ Conference, and Bishop Hermanus W. Woorts, delegate for interreligious dialogue and Jewish-Christian relations.
The bishops concluded with a prayerful wish that Nostra aetate may once again inspire efforts toward a world where all people live as sisters and brothers, honoring the dignity of every human being created in imago Dei.
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