Statement in Support of AJ Levine

Dear Colleagues,

The Catholic Biblical Association made history by electing A.J. Levine president. She is the first Jewish president in the history of the society. Unfortunately, some neither understand the role of the president nor the nature of a professional society. She was not elected because she is Jewish, but because she is an exceptional scholar and has played a very important role in Catholic-Jewish dialogue. She is the first Jewish scholar to teach New Testament at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (2019). She had three audiences with Pope Francis. On this side of the Atlantic, she has been a featured speaker at the Catholic Biblical Association on the topic of
anti-Jewish attitudes and spoke on behalf of the society in Australia to address the challenge of Anti-Semitism in that country.

The vitriol of some of the comments only reinforces the need to address the problem of Anti-Semitism. We need to live and practice the values of our faith, values that are not evident in the criticisms. At a time when polarization is problematic, we need to stand for open dialogue and support those willing to engage in the delicate and hard work it requires. We stand by President Levine.

Sincerely,

Gregory E. Sterling

Chair of the Executive Board
The Catholic Biblical Association of America 

Archie Wright

Executive Director
The Catholic Biblical Association of America