WASHINGTON—In
response to the recent rise in anti-Semitic actions that have taken place
across the U.S., the Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop
of Springfield and Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and
Interreligious Affairs, has issued the following statement expressing
solidarity and support for our Jewish brothers and sisters, while also calling
for the rejection of these hateful actions:

On behalf of the Bishops and people
of the Catholic Church, as the Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for
Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, I want to express our deep sympathy,
solidarity, and support to our Jewish brothers and sisters who have experienced
once again a surge of anti-Semitic actions in the United States. I wish to
offer our deepest concern, as well as our unequivocal rejection of these
hateful actions. The Catholic Church stands in love with the Jewish
community in the current face of anti-Semitism.

As
Pope Francis recently said, “The grave danger is to disown our neighbors. When
we do so…we deny the most important Commandments of Jesus.” Herein lies the
danger, dehumanization. But here we also find an opportunity: that the light of
the love of neighbor may illuminate the Earth with its stunning brightness like
a lightning bolt in the dark; that it may wake us up and let true humanity
burst through with authentic resistance, resilience and persistence.”

I
encourage everyone to remember their neighbor, to find the opportunities to be
lights of resistance, resilience, and persistence during these contentious
times, especially with all our brothers and sisters of faith.

—

Keywords: Pope Francis, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski, U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Committee on Ecumenical and
Interreligious Affairs, anti-Semitism, solidarity, Jewish community.

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Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops