FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 21, 2026
Catholic Scholars, Clergy, and Faithful Launch “Catholic Voices for Israel” and Release Founding Statement “For Zion’s Sake”
New initiative presents a biblically grounded, theologically informed case for Catholic solidarity with Israel, challenging the growing claim that hostility toward the Jewish State and Zionism is the authentic Catholic position
[Jerusalem, May 21, 2026] — Catholic Voices for Israel (CVFI), a new initiative of Catholics for Israel, has officially launched with the release of its founding public statement, “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel.” The statement, signed by Catholic scholars, clergy, and faithful, directly challenges what it describes as a growing and until now largely unanswered current of anti-Israel sentiment—and in some cases outright antisemitism—in Catholic media and public discourse, while making a positive, comprehensive case for Catholic solidarity with the Jewish State and people.
The statement argues that opposition to Christian Zionism and hostility toward Israel has increasingly been presented as the “authentic Catholic position,” driven by a resurgent theological supersessionism that the Church’s own magisterium—from Nostra Aetate (1965) to Gifts and Calling (2015)—has consistently rejected. Drawing on Scripture, post-conciliar Church documents, and Catholic moral theology, “For Zion’s Sake” offers a comprehensive framework for a faithful Catholic engagement with Israel: one that affirms the Jewish people’s enduring covenantal identity, recognizes the theological significance of their return to the land, and applies honest moral scrutiny to the conflict—without singling Israel out for unique condemnation. The initiative grows out of Catholics for Israel’s longstanding mission to foster friendship between Jews and Catholics, encourage repentance from antisemitism in all its forms, and reflect on the mystery of Israel and God’s continuing presence and action among the Jewish people.
“Anti-Zionism animated by supersessionism has become, in effect, the new Catholic antisemitism. A coordinated, intellectually serious Catholic response is long overdue.” –From “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel”
Rather than limiting itself to critique, “For Zion’s Sake” devotes its central sections to constructing a positive Catholic framework for understanding and standing with Israel. It is structured in five sections: a diagnosis of the current crisis in Catholic discourse on Israel; a biblical, theological, political, and moral framework for understanding Israel; a definition and defense of Catholic Zionism; a set of concrete affirmations and commitments; and an appeal to Catholic faithful, leaders, institutions, the Holy See, and the Jewish people.
The three founding documents are available at www.catholicsforisrael.com :
- An Invitation Letter
- The Charter of Catholic Voices for Israel
- The public statement “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel.”
The initial signatories of Catholic Voices for Israel include scholars with expertise in theology, Scripture, and Catholic-Jewish relations. The initiative welcomes additional signatories and invites Catholics who share its concerns to add their names to the public statement at www.catholicsforisrael.com/for-zions-sake .
Media Inquiries
Representatives of Catholic Voices for Israel are available for interviews, background briefings, and comment. Press materials, including the full text of the public statement and founding documents, are available upon request or at www.catholicsforisrael.com.
About Catholic Voices for Israel
Catholic Voices for Israel (CVFI) is a network of Catholics committed to countering distorted portrayals of Israel by promoting a more accurate, charitable, and theologically grounded understanding of Israel’s place in Catholic thought and public life. CVFI seeks to foster genuine solidarity and friendship with the Jewish people, and to explore an authentic Catholic approach to the question of Zionism rooted in Scripture, tradition, and the Church’s teaching. CVFI is an initiative of Catholics for Israel. More information at www.catholicsforisrael.com.
###
