Christianity
Philos Project Responds to Growing Catholic Antisemitism with Powerful Conference
Clear Facts
- A conference organized by the Philos Project and the Catholic Information Center will address the rise in Catholic antisemitism and mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.
- Speakers include notable figures such as George Wiegel, Trent Horn, Dr. Richard F. Crane, and Mary Eberstadt, among others.
- The event aims to confront antisemitic discourse within the Catholic community and reinforce the Church’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
The Philos Project, in collaboration with the Catholic Information Center, is set to host a pivotal conference addressing the concerning rise in antisemitism within the Catholic community. This event, scheduled for March 10, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a landmark declaration from Vatican II that profoundly altered the Church’s stance towards the Jewish people.
The symposium, titled “Catholics and Antisemitism — Facing the Past, Shaping the Future,” will tackle both historical and contemporary issues surrounding Catholic antisemitism. It will delve into theological teachings such as supersessionism and replacement theology, which have historically influenced Catholic attitudes toward Jews.
Esteemed speakers at the conference include Pope John Paul II’s biographer George Wiegel, Catholic apologist Trent Horn, holocaust historian Dr. Richard F. Crane, and cultural critic Mary Eberstadt. The event will also feature Dr. Jonathan Silver, Dr. Russ Hittinger, and Fr. Charles Trullols.
Simone Rizkallah, director of Philos Catholic, expressed deep concern over the resurgence of antisemitism, particularly in religious and academic circles.
“The rise in Catholic antisemitism, both before and after October 7, has been deeply concerning, especially in how it manifests in rhetoric and actions within religious and academic spaces,” she stated.
Rizkallah further highlighted the contradiction inherent in Catholic antisemitism, noting, “The obvious contradiction in Catholic antisemitism is that Jesus Himself was a Jew, and the New Testament affirms the enduring nature of God’s covenants with Israel.”
The conference aims to reaffirm the Church’s commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring that the spirit of Nostra Aetate continues to guide its engagement with the Jewish community.
Online antisemitic Catholic influencers have been criticized for their rhetoric, which Rizkallah describes as “morally reprehensible” and fundamentally opposed to authentic Catholic teaching.
“To those who claim to represent the ‘Catholic right’ while peddling antisemitism, I would say this: Your rhetoric is not only morally reprehensible but also fundamentally opposed to authentic Catholic teaching,” she declared.
Despite the Church’s official stance since Nostra Aetate, antisemitic sentiments persist, with some Catholics attacking the conference on social media. One user accused the event of being “pushed by Jews not concerned Catholics,” while another cited pre-Vatican II teachings against Jews.
Rizkallah acknowledged that while some Church leaders have taken steps to address antisemitism, many remain hesitant.
“Many Catholics, including clergy, fail to recognize how modern antisemitism operates, particularly when it masquerades as theological critique or cultural commentary,” she explained.
Bishop Robert Barron also highlighted the issue, recounting the backlash he faced for posting a graphic of a Menorah during Hanukkah.
“I’ve been on social media for over 20 years, and I’m well acquainted with how vile that space can be, but this outpouring of rage staggered even this grizzled veteran,” he remarked.
Barron emphasized the importance of understanding Christianity’s Jewish roots, stating, “For Christianity collapses in on itself without constant reference to its Jewish antecedents.”
Efforts like the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism are crucial, but Rizkallah insists that sustained leadership is necessary to combat antisemitism effectively.
“Efforts like the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism and the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ recent glossary are important, but they must be followed by sustained, forceful leadership that makes it clear: antisemitism is not just a sin against the Jewish people, but a betrayal of the Church’s own teachings,” she concluded.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Ephraim Ponce
March 9, 2025 at 6:14 am
I hope you are trying countries like Ireland and Spain. They are the most rabidly antisemitic countries outside of Islam.
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March 9, 2025 at 10:56 am
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Steven R. Massy
March 9, 2025 at 8:33 am
Antisemitic offenders need to be repeatedly backed into a corner and forced to factually defend their position.
Loraine Polski Stillman
March 9, 2025 at 12:25 pm
I am a Jew who appreciates the efforts being made by this conference.
Kirk Augustin
March 9, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Terrible article because the word “Semitic” not only had to be capitalized, but means “of Arab origins”. It comes from Shem, the fabled son of Noah who was to have fathered all Arabs. It does not mean Jewish. And it is rude cultural appropriation to improperly use it to mean Jews.
Nor is there anything wrong with pointing out that Zionists are the cause of all the violence and terrorism, since it all started in 1946 when Menachim Begin deliberately murdered the British peacekeepers by blowing up the King David Hotel. He also gunned down Folke Bernadotte, the UN moderator.
So Jews have to stop defending the crimes of Israel. It is a fake country created by illegal immigrant invaders, mostly from Poland and Russia.
Sal
March 9, 2025 at 1:01 pm
How long did it take Noah to build the Ark?
NutzAbound
March 10, 2025 at 7:14 am
@kirk augustin . Decades ago I was told by a very wise person to never speak about what you don’t know. You should heed this advice. Either learn some facts about the past 3,000+ years of history, let alone the past 100 years or so, keep your antiSemitic ramblings to your self.
Let’s just focus on “it all started in 1946…”. Here’s some history for you. Go look it up, or be a denier, you choice:
For many years, the small community of 800 Jews in the ancient city of Hebron lived in peace with their tens of thousands of Arab neighbors. But, on the night of August 23, 1929, the tension simmering within this cauldron of nationalities bubbled over, and for a period of three days, Hebron turned into a city of terror and murder as the Arab residents led a rampaging massacre against the bewildered and helpless Jewish community.
By the time the massacre ended, 67 Jews lay dead – their homes and synagogues destroyed – and the few hundred survivors were relocated to Jerusalem. The aftermath left Hebron barren of Jews for the first time in hundreds of years.
The summer of 1929 was one of unrest in Palestine as Jewish immigrants were arriving in increasing numbers, and the agitations of the mufti in Jerusalem spurred on Jewish-Arab tensions. Just one day prior to the start of the Hebron massacre, three Jews and three Arabs were killed in Jerusalem when fighting broke out after a Muslim prayer service on the Temple Mount. Arabs spread false rumors and libels throughout their communities, saying that Jews were carrying out “wholesale killings of Arabs.”
Nono
March 9, 2025 at 11:41 pm
There are people who call themselves Catholic but don’t truly follow the Doctrine of the Church, they are called smorgasbord Catholics, choosing whatever they think should be the teachings. Shame on them and their anti leanings against the Truth. They are led by another prince, the prince of lies
Nono Everette
March 9, 2025 at 11:48 pm
There are people who call themselves Catholic but don’t truly follow the Doctrine of the Church, they are called smorgasbord Catholics, choosing whatever they think should be the teachings. Shame on them and their anti leanings against the Truth. They are led by another prince, the prince of lies