Bishop Markowski: We strongly condemn antisemitic behaviour in Kalisz

We strongly condemn the antisemitic behaviour in Kalisz. Such attitudes have nothing to do with patriotism – Bishop Rafał Markowski wrote on behalf of the Committee for Dialogue with Judaism of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. After burning the Kalisz Statute text and the antisemitic incidents that took place on 11^th November.

On behalf of the Committee for Dialogue with Judaism of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Markowski emphasized that antisemitic behaviour in Kalisz ” undermine the dignity of our brethren and destroy social order and peace,” and is “in direct contradiction to the Gospel and the teaching of the Church ”

Bishop Markowski recalled the words of Pope Francis, who, two days before the events, on the anniversary of the extermination of Jews in Germany in 1938, called for involvement „in the promotion of education to brotherhood”. ” The threat of antisemitism still lurking in Europe and elsewhere is a threat that must be defused,” reads the post published on the 9^th November on the Holy Father’s Twitter profile.

In his statement, the chairman of the Committee for Dialogue with Judaism expressed sympathy to all those hurt by the incidents in Kalisz. At the same time, he asked „for prayers with the intention of strengthening mutual respect and the spirit of brotherhood.”

Below the full text of the stetement:

Statement

It is with deep sorrow that we have received the news of the burning of the Kalisz Statute text and the anti-Semitic incidents that took place yesterday in Kalisz.

We strongly condemn anti-Semitic behaviour in Kalisz. Such attitudes have nothing to do with patriotism. They undermine the dignity of our brethren and destroy social order and peace. They are in direct contradiction to the Gospel and the teaching of the Church.

Two days before these incidents, Pope Francis urged us: “Let us commit ourselves to fostering an education in fraternity, so that the outbursts of hatred that would destroy that fraternity will not prevail. The threat of antisemitism still lurking in Europe and elsewhere is a threat that must be defused.”

We would like to express our sympathy to all those hurt by the incidents in Kalisz. At the same time, we are asking for prayers with the intention of strengthening mutual respect and the spirit of brotherhood.

Bishop Rafał Markowski

Chairman of the Committee for Dialogue with Judaism of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

Translation: A.Z. Warchoł / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference