The Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) has published the Message for the 37th Day for Dialogue between Catholics and Jews, which will be held on January 17, 2026, under the title «United in the Same Blessing», in reference to the passage from Genesis 12:3. The text reaffirms the theological bond between Christians and Jews, firmly condemns antisemitism and terrorism, and emphasizes the need to maintain a “frank, loyal, and constructive” dialogue, even in the context of current tensions in the Middle East.
The document starts from a foundational affirmation: Jews and Christians, although they follow different paths, are “within the same blessing”, rooted in the promise made to Abraham. From this perspective, the CEI recalls that the relationship between the two communities is not merely historical or cultural, but is situated within the framework of a Covenant that has not been revoked by God.
Sixty Years After Nostra Aetate
The message is published following the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the conciliar declaration Nostra Aetate, which explicitly recognized the spiritual bond between the Church and the Jewish people. The Italian bishops express gratitude for the path traveled in these decades, but acknowledge that in recent times there have been tensions, ambiguous statements, and positions that have contributed to rekindling forms of antisemitism.
In this situation, the CEI states its desire to offer a clear and common position of the Catholic Church in Italy: to reaffirm the bond recalled by the Council, clarify misunderstandings, and establish firm points in the Judeo-Christian relationship, especially at the territorial level.
Unity at the Root, Real Differences
The text emphasizes that Christian identity cannot be understood without the Jewish people, their history and spirituality, defined as “our elder brothers.” At the same time, the document does not hide the doctrinal differences: for Christians, Jesus is the Messiah, an affirmation that marks a real divergence in the reading of the Scriptures and history.
Far from denying this difference, the CEI maintains that it must be recognized and respected, avoiding both confrontation and confusion of identities. The dialogue, the bishops note, does not eliminate distinctions, but allows them to be complementary and not antagonistic.
Rejection of Antisemitism and Critical View of the Political Context
The message explicitly condemns all forms of antisemitism and anti-Judaism, citing recent words from Pope Leo XIV, who has reiterated that the Church does not tolerate antisemitism and combats it out of fidelity to the Gospel. In this line, the CEI insists on the importance of formation, promoting tools such as the “16 Cards to Know Judaism” and the document Deconstructing Christian Anti-Judaism.
In relation to the current context, the Italian bishops defend the right of the Jewish people to live in a secure State, while emphasizing that Christian theology of the land does not coincide with the Jewish one. From this distinction, they affirm their reservation of the freedom to exercise a critical gaze on the decisions of Israeli governments, in the same way as they do regarding other States.
The text concludes with a broad call for peace, supported by Sacred Scripture and words from Pope Leo XIV—who has defined Christian peace as “unarmed and disarming.”