SACBC Response to Rabbi Warren Goldstein

An Open Letter to Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein by the SACBC in response to his message about Pope Francis

23 December 2023

Dear Chief Rabbi Goldstein

I am writing to you on behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) in response to your video publicised on social media accusing Pope Francis of “colluding with the forces of evil who seek to annihilate the Jewish people”.  You draw this conclusion from the “widely reported conversation” between Pope Francis and Mr Herzog, the president of Israel, in which Pope Francis, referring to the war in Gaza, is reported to have said to Mr Herzog, “It is forbidden to respond to terror with terror”.

We believe the allegations you present as proof of Pope Francis and the Catholic Church’s hatred of Jews lack truth and objectivity and have an air of mistrust and character assassination. Given the renewed religious dialogue with the Jewish people and the diplomatic relationship that exists between the Catholic Church and the State of Israel, your public attack on the Pope is regrettable, but still, further to this response, we remain open to the possibility of personal engagement with you.

The emotions with which you uttered these statements suggest that you believe that the Pope hates Jews; hence, you call him to repent; nothing could be further from the truth. Pope Francis began his papacy by visiting Israel in 2014. During that journey, he expressed joy about Catholics and Jews being “bound by a very special spiritual bond,” pledging to work to advance further “the progress there has been in relations between Jews and Catholics since the Second Vatican Council in a spirit of renewed collaboration.”

When the atrocious attack, murder and abduction of innocent Israeli citizens by Hamas occurred on the 7^th of October, Pope Francis clearly and unambiguously condemned it. He personally received some members of families of abducted Israelis by Hamas. Pope Francis is no antisemite, and neither is the Catholic Church antisemitic. He is a friend to the Jewish people and Israel.

The right of Israel to defend itself is not in dispute. What is at stake is what is perceived by many nations represented in the United Nations as a disproportionate response on the part of Israel. This is what we understand as the basis of the Holy Father’s comments that this is no longer war but terrorisation of innocent Palestinian citizens that, by many accounts, is bordering on genocide. According to the United Nations Secretary-General’s report of the 22^nd of December, “more than 20,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, the vast majority women and children.”

The assertion you make that “the Israeli Army has done more in this war and previous wars to minimize civilian causalities than any other war in recorded history” is difficult to believe when there are reports about the Israeli Army bombing schools, hospitals, refugee camps, homes, mosques and churches and not allowing humanitarian aid to come into Gaza. These acts make it clear that the war the Israeli government is waging cannot, in any way, be described as meeting the criteria of a just war. Rabbi Goldstein, Israel has every right to defend itself, but what is happening now in Gaza is not a just war.

You speak of the attacks on Christians in many parts of the world. This is regrettably true, and they are usually carried out by rogue groups and not by a State, certainly not by a State like Israel that prides itself on being a democracy. Yet, Chief Rabbi, we note with sadness the heinous attack on the 16th of December carried out at the Holy Family Church and the Convent of the Missionaries of Charity (“Mother Teresa Sisters”) who care for the disabled in Gaza. Nahida was shot and killed, reportedly by an Israeli Army sniper. When her daughter Samar ran to assist her, she, too, was murdered. Several other people were injured trying to reach the two women. Earlier that day, the convent was shelled with mortars with no warning at all.

Another regretful part of your presentation was describing Pope Francis’ desire for peace as “primitive pacifism”. This statement calls into question how you, as a religious leader, would work for justice and peace, equality and reconciliation. As you know, Chief Rabbi, our country, South Africa, was at war, but it was not the war that brought us where we are today. This war is not going to bring about justice and peace. Instead, it is condemning future generations to ongoing hatred and violence. This is the saddest thing of all – the misconception that the outcome of the war will be peace. To call a ceasefire, seek a just and peaceful settlement, to be able to dialogue and compromise – that is the way to peace.

We reiterate that Pope Francis and the Catholic Church are not enemies of the Jewish people; we are friends, and we share the same Abrahamic faith. But true friends must speak the truth even if it is unwanted. The fact is, Rabbi, Israel has many friends throughout the world who are distraught at what is happening, the ongoing killing and the traumatisation of a whole nation.

Perhaps, Rabbi, it would be better to take time to listen to what your friends are saying. The Holocaust and the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 were barbaric and should be prevented from happening again.  However, these events should not be used to silence and paralyse friends from being critical of the Israeli Army’s inhumane and unlawful acts in this present war.

As we prepare for the memorial of the birth of the King of Peace, we look forward to the possibility of engaging with you towards a peaceful Holy Land and peaceful world.

Yours sincerely

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka

SACBC President