Dialogue Press Release
USCC News Release: Statement Attacking Judaism Condemned By Bishops' Aide (1984)
USCC News Release: Statement Attacking Judaism Condemned By Bishops' Aide by William Ryan, June 27, 1984
WASHINGTON--An official of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops denounced the statement by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan calling Judaism a "gutter religion."
"Catholic Americans believe with all Americans that such language simply has no place in the public forum," said Father Donald Heintschel, NCCB Associate General Secretary. "It must be condemned for the hate-filled evil it is."
"To attack Judaism, as Mr. Farrakhan has done, is to go beyond the bounds of political rhetoric, however widely construed," Father Heintschel said. "We Catholics, then, will join with those of other faith communities whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim, who would, out of respect for our dearest values, resist and denounce such pernicious characterizations of other religions."