Page 115 - October 7 - Teresa Pirola

hate speech, graffitied Jewish dwellings, chants in support of October 7 terrorists and torn-down posters of hostages. Fortunately, in Australia, we need not fear for our lives when we call out antisemitism; we have only to bear the discomfort of going against popular opinion in certain circles. It is a small price to pay for bearing witness to truth and healing the sins of the past.
3. Catholics Have a Relationship
Christians have a relationship with Judaism ‘which we do not have with any other religion’ (Pope John Paul II, 1986). Christianity’s roots lie in Judaism and the church is inconceivable without the story of the people of Israel, of whom Jesus is a son. It is but a logical step for an observant Christian to appreciate that the Jewish kin of Jesus, so close to his heart on earth, must be infinitely close to his heart now, from the magnified perspective of resurrection and glory.
When Jews today are vilified, mocked, attacked, abducted and murdered, one would expect followers of Jesus to instinctively raise a full-throated and united voice in protest, out of a relationship of faith, not to mention a shared humanity. When their public voice is hesitant, half-hearted or absent, antisemites are emboldened, social cohesion is weakened, and Jews are abandoned.
4. Catholics Have a Teaching
Catholics are proud of their church’s social teaching and readily champion their justice commitments in defence of all sorts of minority groups facing particular challenges. But if these commitments do not extend to the defence of Jewish minorities battling what is known as ‘the world’s oldest hatred’, how credible is Catholic social teaching?
115