IsraelinUSA / X
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement May 23 condemning the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., that occurred May 21.
“With hearts burdened by sorrow and a renewed commitment to solidarity, we express profound grief and outrage at the shooting that occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington,” wrote Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and Archbishop Borys Gudziak.
Bishop Bambera is the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, and Archbishop Gudziak is the chairman of the conference’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
As CatholicVote previously reported, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were attending an American Jewish Committee event focused on peacebuilding in the Middle East and North Africa.
Lischinsky was a Christian, and he was planning to propose to Milgrim the following week.
“We stand in prayerful mourning with our Jewish brothers and sisters and denounce this act of violence and antisemitic hatred in the strongest possible terms,” the bishops wrote. “As Catholics, we are called not only to reject such hatred, but to actively foster mutual understanding, respect, and solidarity with the Jewish people.”
The bishops reaffirmed their commitment to the Second Vatican Council document Nostra Aetate, which affirms Christians and Jews’ common spiritual patrimony and condemns antisemitism.
“The suffering generated by this senseless and violent action against the Jewish community wounds us all and compels us toward renewed vigilance and action,” the bishops continued. “In this moment, we also acknowledge the grave responsibility we all share in the language we use, especially when speaking about the conflict in the Holy Land.”
Despite the complex realities of the war between Israel and Gaza, Christians and others must always avoid rhetoric that can demonize peoples, faiths, and communities, the bishops wrote.
“Harsh or dehumanizing language, even when unintended, can sow seeds of suspicion and fear, which too easily bear the fruit of violence,” they added. “In our public discourse, as in our prayers, we must choose the path of truth spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15), never allowing geopolitical tensions to justify antisemitism or any form of hatred.”
The letter concluded with a statement of solidarity to the Jewish community.
“To our Jewish neighbors, partners and friends: We walk with you. We grieve with you. We stand with you,” the bishops wrote. “May the God of justice and peace comfort the wounded, strengthen the fearful, and bring healing to all affected by this violence. Let us together be instruments of peace, as we heed the words of the prophet Micah: ‘Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.’”
