Church of England urges Anglicans and other Christians to repent for the “sins of the past” towards Jews

The Church of England has produced a landmark document urging Anglicans and other Christians not only to repent for the “sins of the past” towards their Jewish neighbours but to be alert to and actively challenge the continuation of such attitudes or stereotypes.

Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomes the release of this historic document which demonstrates the Church of England’s solidarity with the Jewish community at this worrying time.

The 121-page teaching document, which was three years in the making, was released today by the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission.

Titled G-d’s Unfailing Word, it encourages Christians to rediscover the relationship of “unique significance” between the two faiths, worshipping one God, with scriptures shared in common. It makes clear that the Christian-Jewish relationship should be viewed as a “gift of G-d to the Church” to be received with care, respect and gratitude.

It also speaks to the attitudes towards Judaism over many centuries as providing a “fertile seed-bed for murderous antisemitism.”

Writing in the afterword of the document, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mervis, described the relationship as a “profound friendship.” However, he said that he has a “substantial misgiving” with the document over its failure to address evangelism.

Last year, The Church of England adopted the full International Definition of Antisemitism.