STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville and The Philos Project will co-host Nostra Aetate and the Future of Catholic-Jewish Relations at a Time of Rising Antisemitism on October 24-26, 2023.

Leading Catholic and Jewish voices will address the recent rise in antisemitism, the history of Catholic-Jewish relations, and the significance of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relation of the Catholic Church to non-Christian religions. The shared experiences of faithful Jewish and Catholic communities confronted with the challenges of secular progressivism will also be explored.

“Franciscan University is delighted to collaborate with The Philos Project on the important work of promoting Catholic-Jewish relations and condemning the recent rise in antisemitism,” said Dr. Steve Hildebrand, vice president for Academic Affairs at Franciscan University. “This conference will be a shining example of the truth that fidelity to our respective convictions as Christians and Jews demands and does not undermine our fraternity and our mutual respect.

“The rise of secular progressivism makes us able to see more truly and more clearly not only what we have in common but also the unique contribution that the Judeo-Christian tradition has made in the history of human civilization and the history of human thought,” Hildebrand added.

“The Philos Project is excited to partner with Franciscan University in this important effort to strengthen Jewish-Catholic ties,” said Andrew Doran, senior research fellow and Catholic director at The Philos Project. “At this time of rising antisemitism, Catholics shouldn’t be silent. We also stand with Jewish institutions like Yeshiva University on the struggle to preserve religious liberty in America.”

At the conclusion of the conference, participants will release a coalition statement opposing antisemitism and commemorating the 5-year anniversary of the horrific October 27, 2018, Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the 58-year anniversary of Nostra Aetate.

Conference speakers include Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik, senior rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City and director of the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, Yeshiva University; Sohrab Ahmari, founder and editor of Compact and visiting fellow at Franciscan’s Veritas Center for Ethics in Public Life; Peter Berkowitz, Tad and Dianne Taube senior fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University; Dr. Faydra Shapiro, senior fellow with The Philos Project and research fellow with the Center for the Study of Religions, Tel Hai College, Israel; Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Princeton University.

For more information and to register, visit franciscan.edu/catholic-jewish-conference.