I was deeply saddened to learn of the senseless acts of mass vandalism perpetrated at Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetery in our city’s Wissinoming section this past weekend.

I call on the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to join in prayerful solidarity with the families of those whose final resting places have been disturbed. Violence and hate against anyone, simply because of who they are, is inexcusable.

For Catholics, anti-Semitism is more than a human rights concern. It’s viewed as a form of sacrilege and blasphemy against God’s chosen people. In recent weeks, our country has seen a new wave of anti-Semitism on the rise. It’s wrong and it should deeply concern not only Jews and Catholics, but all people.

As a community, we must speak out to condemn inflammatory messages and actions that serve only to divide, stigmatize, and incite prejudice. We must continually and loudly reject attempts to alienate and persecute the members of any religious tradition. Rather, as members of diverse faith and ethnic communities throughout the region, we must stand up for one another and improve the quality of life for everyone by building bridges of trust and understanding.”