On October 10, 2025, the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) issued an official message addressed to the Jewish communities in Spain on the occasion of the celebration of Rosh Hashaná, Yom Kipur, and Sucot.
The text, signed by Mons. Ramón Valdivia Giménez, auxiliary bishop of Seville and president of the Episcopal Subcommission for Interconfessional Relations and Interreligious Dialogue, along with his secretary Rafael Vázquez Jiménez, conveys closeness and esteem toward the Jewish people during this festive time.
Content of the message
In the letter, the bishops recall the meaning of the sukkah —the booth that commemorates the pilgrimage of the Hebrew people toward the promised land— as a symbol of God’s fidelity and as a sign of hope. This theme, they emphasize, spiritually connects Jews and Christians, in tune with the Jubilee of Hope that we are experiencing in the Church.
The statement also echoes the international context and recognizes that the joy of these holidays cannot be complete due to the “grave events” that mark recent history. In this regard, the CEE expresses its prayer for the release of the Israeli hostages and for a ceasefire in Gaza that allows for achieving a “just and lasting peace”.
A voice outward… and silences inward
The gesture toward the Jewish communities reflects the CEE’s willingness to maintain an active interreligious dialogue and to show sensitivity to global dramas. However, the contrast with its silence on more immediate internal issues stands out, such as the recent case of Father Custodio Ballester, in which the Episcopal Conference limited itself to stating that “it corresponds to the judges to decide”, without a word of pastoral support.
Pending Balance
It is not about detracting from the messages of fraternity and closeness toward other religious communities, nor from the concern for international peace. But it is worth remembering that the mission of the bishops also begins with the care of their own flock. The credibility of the Church is strengthened when its prophetic voice is consistent outward and inward.