February 2, 2020 - "Anti-Semitic Incidents"

I have been both disturbed and saddened by the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in our country.  I was appalled to read about a machete attack at a rabbi’s house during Hanukkah celebrations.  While I was visiting family in Las Vegas, I read the statement issued by Archbishop Gregory on December 30, 2019, on the “barbaric resurgence” of anti-Semitism.  Here is the Archbishop’s statement in case you missed it when it first appeared in print:
 
The rise of anti-Semitic incidents in our nation, including the recent horrifying attack in Monsey, New York, against Jews who were celebrating Hanukkah, is deeply disturbing.  This hateful action and others like it have created tremendous fear among our Jewish brothers and sisters.  I pray for the swift recovery of the victims and all affected by this terrible tragedy.
 
The Catholic Church has condemned anti-Semitism and any form of discrimination or hatred against Jews in the strongest possible terms, and we continue to do so today.  Along with the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington, I stand in support of and solidarity with all members of the Jewish community in these difficult moments.  We must work together with all people of good will to eradicate all attitudes of hatred and bigotry that lead to such actions, and seek to build bridges of trust, mutual respect, and dialogue among members of all faith communities.
 
I invite Catholics of the archdiocese to accompany and support our Jewish neighbors in these tragic times.  In walking together, we can give an effective witness against anti-Semitism and work to protect the rights of every religious tradition to practice their beliefs openly and without fear.
 
On January 20, 2020, Pope Francis addressed a delegation from the Simon Wiesenthal Center in the Vatican.  Established in 1977 by Rabbi Marvin Hier, the center is a global human rights organization researching the Holocaust and hate in a historic and contemporary context.  Pope Francis told them “I will never grow tired of condemning every form of anti-Semitism.”  The Holy Father also told them that he believed this resurgence of anti-Semitism needs to be viewed in the wider “troubling” context where “in many parts of the world, an increase in selfishness and indifference, lack of concern for others and the attitude that says life is good as long as it is good for me, and when things go wrong, anger and malice are unleashed.”

Pope Francis noted that the Simon Wiesenthal Center “seeks to combat all forms of anti-Semitism, racism, and hatred toward minorities” and for a number of decades now has had contacts with the Holy See in a shared desire “to make the world a better place in respect for human dignity, which is due to every person in equal measure, regardless of his or her ethnic origin, religion, or social status,” adding that “it is essential to teach tolerance, mutual understanding and freedom of religion and the promotion of peace within society.”
 
Pope Francis also drew attention to the fact that January 27, 2020, will be the seventy-fifth anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau.  The Holy Father recalled that he went to that infamous site in 2016 “to reflect and pray in silence.”  He concluded his talk with these remarks, “Let us, too, remember that the past and have compassion on those who suffer and in this way till the soil of fraternity.”  He ended with a prayer:  “May the Almighty help us to respect one another and to love one another more and to make the earth a better place by sowing seeds of peace. Shalom!”
 
Until next week,
Fr. John