When I was initially invited to present this talk, I was asked to highlight the rise of antisemitism in Europe. Even then, I suspected it might be rather short, given the overwhelming evidence that antisemitism appeared to be growing more than any other racial prejudice. And then we had the attacks of October 7, 2023. Quite possibly the talk is now moot.
I would like to preface this address with a personal experience, which bears on all we are discussing, particularly from my perspective as a Catholic priest. Some know of my work during the last 9 years—full time since 2016—working for aid/advocacy for persecuted Christians throughout the world, especially in the Middle East. I am certainly the only Catholic priest in the English-speaking world doing this work full time, and I am grateful to the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham for allowing me to pursue this ministry and vocation: allowing me but not paying me.
