U.S. Catholic Bishops Warn Against Far-Right Influencers’ Misleading Statements on Jews and Israel

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a memorandum urging its members to address misleading statements about Jews and Israel made by far-right influencers. The letter, authored by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, chairman of the conference’s committee on interreligious affairs, was sent to clergy ahead of Easter. It warns against the distortion of the church’s stance by certain media personalities who claim to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church.

Bambera specifically highlighted Carrie Prejean Boller, a recent convert to Catholicism who was removed from the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission following a contentious hearing. In that hearing, Boller attacked Zionism, asserting it was incompatible with Catholic teachings. She also defended Candace Owens, a far-right influencer known for her offensive remarks about Jews and Judaism. Boller argued that devout Catholics must be anti-Zionist and should not be labeled as antisemites for holding such views. She further claimed that Catholics have replaced Jews as “the new people of God.”

Bambera noted that while witnesses at the hearing refuted Boller’s assertions, her claims have been widely circulated in the media. The memo aims to assist clergy in responding to inquiries from parishioners or journalists regarding the Catholic Church’s position on Jews and Israel. It underscores the importance of clarity in addressing these sensitive topics.

Rev. Russell McDougall, director of ecumenical and interreligious affairs at the USCCB, stated that the memo was intended to guide clergy in navigating questions about the church’s stance. A public-facing video titled “Catholics Must Reject Antisemitism” was released alongside the memo. Originally planned for publication at the start of Holy Week, the video was expedited after the memo was leaked and faced backlash from some right-wing Catholics.

The video and memo reflect a broader effort by the Catholic Church to combat antisemitism and ensure its teachings are accurately represented. The Church emphasizes the need for clergy to uphold the dignity of all people, including Jews, and to reject any rhetoric that promotes hatred or division. This aligns with the biblical call to protect the vulnerable and promote justice, as seen in Proverbs 31:8-9.

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