Jewish-Catholic Relations

About Jewish-Catholic Relations and the Archdiocese of Chicago

Right to left: Noam Marans, Director of Interfaith and Intergroup Relations, AJC; Cardinal Cupich; David Inlander, Chair of Interreligious Affairs Commission, AJC; Barbara Kantrow Assistant Director, AJC Chicago.

At the Second Vatican Council in 1965, the Declaration Nostra Aetate (“In Our Time”) called for Catholics and Jews to collaborate in “biblical and theological inquiry … and friendly discussions.” The Archdiocese of Chicago takes this declaration seriously and is committed to continuing to understand and work with the vibrant Jewish culture in the Chicagoland area through a variety of initiatives. A few of our engagements and programs include:

Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture
The Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture continues and enriches the relationship between Jews and Catholics with an annual lecture on the theological issues affecting their communities. Each year’s lecture alternates between a Jewish/Catholic speaker and location. The Archdiocese of Chicago co-sponsors the event with AJC Chicago, Anti-Defamation League, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Board of Rabbis, DePaul University, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

The Bernardin-Jerusalem Lecture series commemorates Joseph Cardinal Bernardin’s voyage to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by local Catholic and Jewish leaders. On March 23, 1995, Cardinal Bernardin delivered a lecture entitled “Anti-Semitism: The Historical Legacy and the Continuing Challenge for Christians,” in the Senate Hall at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The lecture was the centerpiece of his visit to Israel. Upon returning to the United States, Cardinal Bernardin established an annual lecture to continue the high level of conversation between Chicago’s Jewish and Catholic communities around the theological issues affecting their relationship.

 2022 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture

The 26th Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture: “The Curious Case of Queen Helena of Adiabene in Jewish and Christian History” will be live-streamed at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) on March 22, 2022. 

Speaker: Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz, Associate Professor of Theology, Fordham University.

Description: First century historian Josephus tells an intriguing story about Queen Helena of Adiabene, a convert to Judaism, who fed people in Jerusalem’s famine, built a palace and a monumental tomb in which she is buried. It was visited by Christian pilgrims and her contributions to the temple were remembered by rabbis. She became the star of an anti-Christian polemic according to one set of Jewish traditions.

In this lecture, Prof. Gribetz will explore the fascinating, unexpected afterlife of Queen Adiabene and her enduring significance to both Jewish and Christian communities in antiquity and in contemporary Jewish-Christian relations.

To register, please click here.

Click here to access the lecture flyer.

Program

Welcome:  A. Gabriel Esteban, President, DePaul University

Introductions of Lecture Series and Speakers: Steve Stoute, JD, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff, DePaul University

Opening Remarks: Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

2022 Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture: Dr. Sarit Kattan Gribetz, Associate Professor of Theology, Fordham University

Moderated Q&A: Sr. Barbara Reid, O.P., President, Catholic Theological Union

Sponsors: Archdiocese of Chicago, AJC–Chicago, Anti-Defamation League, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago Board of Rabbis, DePaul University, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership