Why Are US Catholic Bishops Issuing a Major Warning Against Antisemitism Now?

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a powerful video message in March 2026 to state clearly that antisemitism has no place in the Christian faith. Led by Archbishop Alexander Sample, the bishops are calling on all believers to reject conspiracy theories and "lies" that target the Jewish community, asserting that defending religious freedom requires standing up for our Jewish neighbors.

What Happened: A Call for Clarity and Truth

This month, the American Catholic leadership decided it was time to speak up loudly. Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon: who serves as the chair of the bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty: released a video statement that didn't pull any punches. He stated that Catholics are called to reject antisemitism in all its forms, especially the "lies and conspiracies" that have been bubbling up in digital spaces lately.

The timing of this isn't accidental. Over the last year, we’ve seen a rise in rhetoric that paints the Jewish community as a manipulative or "collectively responsible" group for global problems. Archbishop Sample pointed out that the Jewish community is currently attacked at a far higher rate than any other religious group in the United States. He made it clear: if you claim to care about religious liberty, you can’t stay silent when one group is being singled out for hate.

The bishops specifically took aim at the historical "blood guilt" narrative. For centuries, a terrible misunderstanding of scripture led some to believe that Jewish people were collectively responsible for the death of Jesus. Sample hit this head-on, citing the Catechism of the Council of Trent and the teachings of Vatican II. These documents explicitly teach that Jews do not bear collective guilt for the crucifixion. To suggest otherwise, the bishops say, is not just bad history: it’s bad theology.

The Two Sides: Faith vs. "America First" Rhetoric

While the bishops’ statement is a call for unity, it highlights a growing rift within the broader conservative and religious movement in America. On one side, you have the official teaching of the Church and the leadership of the USCCB. They are doubling down on the "Nostra Aetate" spirit of Vatican II, which emphasizes the shared heritage between Christians and Jews.

On the other side, there has been a rise in high-profile figures: some of whom have recently converted to Catholicism: who have used their platforms to spread views that many describe as antisemitic. Names like podcaster Candace Owens and Carrie Prejean Boller have been at the center of this storm. Prejean Boller was even removed from the White House Religious Liberty Commission in February 2026 for downplaying antisemitism. These figures often wrap their rhetoric in "America First" or "Christian Nationalist" banners, leading some followers to believe that targeting Jewish influence is a part of their religious or patriotic duty.

The bishops are essentially drawing a line in the sand. They are saying that you cannot use the banner of Catholicism to spread hatred or tropes about Jewish people. Jewish leaders, including Nathan Diament of the Orthodox Union, have welcomed this stance. They’ve noted that it’s vital for religious leaders to speak up when "bad actors" try to weaponize faith to spread division.

Why It Matters: Protecting Our Neighbors

This isn’t just a debate for theologians or political pundits. It matters because words have consequences in our local communities. When conspiracy theories about "manipulative global powers" go viral, it creates a climate of fear. For those of us in the Mid-South, we know that our Jewish neighbors are an essential part of the fabric of our cities. Whether it’s in Memphis, Little Rock, or Nashville, the Jewish community has historically been at the forefront of education, medicine, and civil rights.

When hate is allowed to simmer in religious circles, it eventually boils over into real-world violence. The USCCB is trying to turn down the heat. By addressing these conspiracy theories directly, they are helping to protect the safety and dignity of people we see every day at the grocery store or in our local parks. It’s about maintaining a society where everyone can practice their faith without looking over their shoulder in fear.

The Biblical Perspective: Rooted in the Same Olive Tree

From an Assemblies of God and broader Pentecostal perspective, we have a deep, scriptural reason to stand with the Jewish people. Our faith is not a replacement for what God started with Israel; it is a graft into that same tree.

In Romans 11:17-18, the Apostle Paul gives us a very clear warning: "If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you."

As believers who value the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, we recognize that the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, not of fear or malice. The same Holy Spirit that empowered the early church: which was entirely Jewish at its start: is the Spirit that calls us to peace today. We believe in the Second Coming of Christ, and we know that God’s plan for the Jewish people is central to the history of redemption.

Antisemitism isn't just a social ill; it is a spiritual deception. It tries to get us to hate the very "root" that supports our faith. When we reject these conspiracy theories, we aren't just being "politically correct." We are being biblically faithful. We are choosing to walk in the light of God’s love rather than the darkness of human prejudice.

Life Takeaway: How to Be a Peace-Maker

So, what do we do with this? It’s easy to read the news and feel like the world is just getting angrier. But as followers of Jesus, we have a different calling.

1. Check your sources. If you see a video or a post claiming that a specific group of people is "secretly controlling the world," pause. Ask yourself if that aligns with the fruit of the Spirit. Conspiracy theories usually rely on fear, and God has not given us a spirit of fear.

2. Speak up in small circles. You don't need a giant platform to make a difference. If you hear someone in your friend group or your church lobby repeating a harmful trope about Jewish people, gently point them back to the Bible. Remind them that Jesus was, and is, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

3. Build a bridge. Reach out to your neighbors. If there is a synagogue in your area, or if you have Jewish co-workers, let them know you value them. A simple act of kindness can be a powerful antidote to the poison of antisemitism.

The bishops are reminding us that our faith is built on love, not suspicion. Let’s take that to heart and be the people who bring sanity and grace back to the conversation.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, confused, or emotionally drained by the news cycle: your reaction is not “weak.” It’s human. We invite you into a Jesus-centered community for spiritual family and care at BoundlessOnlineChurch.org. If you need private, personal guidance during a hard season, Dr. Layne McDonald offers Christian coaching and mentoring at LayneMcDonald.com. Stay grounded, stay hopeful, and keep pointing to Jesus.

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Source:U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic News Agency, Orthodox Union.