With a recent rise in the antisemitic incidents across the country, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis and chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs issued a call for prayers and unity in fostering a culture that rejects all forms of hatred.
Their full statement follows:
“The recent rise in antisemitic attacks across the nation is deeply troubling. We cannot remain silent when we witness our brothers and sisters suffering on account of being Jewish, and we will never tire of our commitment to decry every form of hatred, especially those formed in contempt of faith.
“Any attack on a community or individual on the basis of faith or otherwise is contrary to who we are called to be as the People of God. Pope Francis continually reminds us of our duty to build a culture of encounter by building bridges that transcend differences and divisions (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 215-217). In doing so, we must denounce violence unconditionally and take up dialogue.
“We remain steadfast in the promise of the Second Vatican Council to decry ‘all hatred, persecutions, and manifestations of antisemitism directed against the Jews at any time by anyone’ (Nostra Aetate, 4). This is integral to the irrevocable friendship we have cultivated and continue to build with our Jewish brothers and sisters.
“Our prayers are with those who have been harmed. May all people of goodwill unite in fostering a culture that rejects all forms of hatred, most especially antisemitism.”
During yesterday’s General Audience, Pope Francis had a spontaneous meeting with Lydia Maksymowicz, a Polish woman of Byelorussian origin who survived the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz and the experiments of Dr. Josef Mengele, known as “The Angel of Death.”
As “Vatican News” reported, the Holy Father kissed the deportation number to the concentration camp, which Lydia has tattooed on her arm. Then Lydia gave the Pontiff three gifts, as symbols of memory, hope, and prayer, saying: “you have strengthened me and reconciled me with the world.”
