New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan has strongly rebuked antisemitism, declaring it fundamentally at odds with core Catholic teachings. In a recent interview, he urged Catholics to reject hatred based on race or religion and reflected on the Church's historical shortcomings in defending Jewish communities. Dolan specifically addressed online figures who claim Catholic identity while promoting antisemitic views.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York and a trained historian, spoke out against antisemitism in an interview with Will Rahn of The Free Press. He emphasized that Catholic doctrine rests on two foundational principles: the dignity of every human person and the sacredness of human life. "To hate somebody because of race or religion is just downright opposed to that," Dolan stated, underscoring the moral imperative for Christians to oppose such prejudice.
Dolan candidly addressed the Catholic Church's past failures, admitting that there were periods when Catholics not only failed to protect Jewish neighbors but actively participated in antisemitic acts. "There have been times in the past that we, as Catholics, have not risen to the defense of our Jewish neighbors," he said. "There’s actually times in the past where we’ve been part of antisemitism. And so I’m thinking we can’t let that happen again."
The discussion highlighted the emergence of online personalities, such as Nick Fuentes, who profess Catholicism while disseminating antisemitic rhetoric. Dolan delivered a pointed message to them, drawing from Jesus' teachings in the Bible: "Not every person who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ is going to get into heaven, but only the ones who do the will of my Father. You may say you’re a Catholic; if you’re not doing the will of your Heavenly Father, you ain’t."
He further explained that true faith demands respect and harmony among all people. "The will of your Heavenly Father is that, darn it, we all get along and treat each other with dignity and respect," Dolan remarked. He warned that promoting hatred—whether against Jews or the unborn—undermines any legitimate claim to Catholic identity, calling for self-examination and integrity in faith practice.
This condemnation comes amid rising concerns over antisemitic incidents, with Dolan's words shared widely, including in a Twitter post by Ryan Saavedra on February 6, 2026.
