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Cardinal Cupich’s Statements

Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, on Anti-Semitism

February 26, 2019

A few months ago, I was joined by Rabbi Samuel Gordon, Holocaust survivor Fritchie Fritzshall and others at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center to speak out against Holocaust denial and its harmful effects.  Since that time, the continued rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts in Europe and the United States has become more and more troubling.  These attempts to dehumanize Jews, making them an object of blame, and sowing irrational fear and anger can have dire consequences, as the Tree of Life massacre painfully reminds us.

At a November 5, 2018 audience with a Jewish delegation at the Vatican, Pope Francis stated that “a Christian cannot be an anti-Semite; we share the same roots. It would be a contradiction of faith and life.  Rather, we are called to commit ourselves to ensure anti-Semitism is banned from the human community.”

Today, I recall those words to once again state clearly and unequivocally that Holocaust denial and anti-Semitic rhetoric acts are sinful and have no place in the world.  Moreover, I call on all people of good will to join me in rooting out this hatred from our homes, places of worship and public discourse.  Let us continue to work together as partners in combatting this troubling trend which puts Jews at risk while threatening the religious freedom and humanity of all.