USCCB Releases Easter Message Condemning Antisemitism, Urges Catholics to "Speak Out Clearly"

As Easter approaches, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a forceful new video message denouncing antisemitism and calling on Catholics across the country to reject conspiracy theories, scapegoating, and all forms of hatred directed toward Jewish communities. The message, released March 18, is delivered by Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, who chairs the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty.

A Call Rooted in Church Teaching

In the video, Archbishop Sample emphasizes that the Church's rejection of antisemitism is not political but theological, grounded in the Gospel and in the shared spiritual heritage between Christians and Jews.

"The Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel's spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of antisemitism directed against Jews at any time and by anyone,"

-Archbishop Alexander Sample

He stresses that the Jewish community continues to face disproportionately high levels of religiously motivated attacks in the United States, making it essential for Catholics to speak out with clarity and conviction.

Addressing Historical Misunderstandings

Archbishop Sample directly confronts one of the most damaging historical distortions: the myth of deicide, the false claim that the Jewish people collectively bear responsibility for the death of Jesus. Drawing on authoritative Church teaching-including the Catechism of the Council of Trent and the Second Vatican Council's Nostra Aetate-he explains that this belief is both theologically incorrect and historically harmful.

He notes that Good Friday, in particular, has at times been misused as a pretext for hostility toward Jews. Instead, he says, it should be a moment of personal repentance:

"Good Friday ought to be an occasion for us to return to the Lord, not to scapegoat others."

-Archbishop Sample

Rejecting Conspiracies and Lies

The archbishop warns that modern antisemitism is often fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories-some of which misuse Christian language or symbols. He urges Catholics to reject these narratives unequivocally:

"As Catholics, we are called to walk in the truth, and so to reject the conspiracies and lies that lead to harassment and even violence against our Jewish brothers and sisters."

-Archbishop Sample

A Timely Message Before the Easter Triduum

The USCCB intentionally released the video less than three weeks before the Easter Triduum, the most sacred period of the Christian year. Archbishop Sample notes that this season-centered on the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus-should inspire deeper reflection, not division.

Jewish leaders have welcomed the bishops' message. Nathan Diament of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations said the statement comes "at a more important time" as some attempt to weaponize Catholicism to spread antisemitic ideas.

A Renewed Commitment to Truth and Solidarity

The video situates itself within the Church's decades‑long effort to correct past misunderstandings and strengthen Catholic‑Jewish relations. By urging Catholics to confront antisemitism-whether in overt acts or subtle distortions-the USCCB reinforces its commitment to religious freedom, human dignity, and the Gospel's call to love.