Wednesday night, two young Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were shot and killed as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Sarah was 26. Yaron was 30. The alleged gunman, who is from Chicago, is in custody. Antisemitism appears to have been a factor in their murder. What a senseless, inconceivable tragedy for these two young people who were about to be engaged, just starting the next chapter of their lives. Please join me in praying for them, their families and loved ones. May their memories be for a blessing.

I am heartbroken by the continuing and escalating hatred and violence directed toward Jews. The need to reject antisemitism is urgent. Pope Francis reminded us that we cannot be a good Catholic and an antisemite.  As I have stated many times before, Catholic Christians must denounce this bigotry. We hold no place for hatred of the Jewish people and must speak out and reject such prejudice in word and deed. We must also reach out in friendship to our Jewish community, breaking the cycle of violence by seeing the inherent dignity of each person, made in God’s image and beloved by our Creator.

As Catholic Christians we are committed to the path of peace, genuine encounter, and respect for one another. May the Lord bring comfort to the afflicted, love to those whose hearts have been scarred by fear and hate, and peace to all his children.