Co-sponsored by Franciscan University and the Philos Project, the gathering, which will be livestreamed and recorded, aims to take relations between Jews and Catholics to a new plane of solidarity in a moment newly urgent. The conference gives Catholics everywhere a goal to unite at a critical moment in history.

I must admit that several months ago, upon first being approached to give the closing address, my initial reaction was puzzlement. Catholics against antisemitism? Wasn’t that already a thing? It seemed likely that Catholics know something about the landmark Nostra Aetate — the official declaration of the Second Vatican Council, reiterating that the Catholic faith begins with the patriarchs and prophets of ancient Israel, and condemning the notion that Jews share collective guilt for the death of Jesus. Many must also know of Pope John Paul II’s, and other popes’ personal devotion to the people of the Covenant. What, I wondered, could need adding to the ledger after all that?

Now we know. The timing of this week’s conference, once seemingly accidental, is more urgent than ever, for three reasons.

[Indeed, the timing seems downright providential now. It’s worth noting that Franciscan University at Steubenville has put its money where its mouth is on this issue, too. They announced last week that they would offer an expedited transfer to Jewish students at other colleges and universities who now fear for their safety after campus rallies in favor of Hamas and genocide of Jews. The school also urged other Catholic colleges to follow suit. — Ed]