E/CN.4/2000/65 page 36 139. Paragraph 3 of the Declaration deals exclusively with Muslims: “The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. … Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Muslims, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.” 140. Paragraph 4 concerning the Jews explains as follows: “Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies as well as of fraternal dialogues. True, the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ; still, what happened in His passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today. Although the Church is the new people of God, the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures. All should see to it, then, that in catechetical work or in the preaching of the word of God they do not teach anything that does not conform to the truth of the Gospel and the spirit of Christ. Furthermore, in her rejection of every persecution against any man, the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel’s spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.” 141. In its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium (21 November 1964),Vatican II presented the theological and pastoral bases of a new commitment by the Church to meet and listen to other believers and to arrive at mutual understanding: “We are referring to the children of the Hebrew people, who deserve our affection and our respect, and who are the faithful of the religion which we call that of the Old Testament; also to those who worship God in accordance with a monotheistic conception - especially in the Muslim religion - who deserve our admiration for all that is true and good in their worship of God.” 142. With regard to the Muslims, a Commission for fostering relations with Muslims was set up under the Pontifical Council, in 1974, to facilitate meetings of a religious nature. In the 1970s, many meetings were held between Muslims and Christians, at a local, national, regional and international level, to discuss a great variety of issues, such as freedom of religion and public profession of faith, and Islamic-Christian cooperation for the well-being of mankind. Many diplomatic ties have also been established between the Vatican and Muslim States or countries with a predominantly Muslim population. Paul VI was the first Pope to receive a growing number of Muslim delegations at the Vatican. John Paul II then lent further impetus to relations with Muslims. His first Encyclical, Redemptor Hominis, referring explicitly to Jews