Jerusalem, May 21, 2026 — Catholic Voices for Israel (CVFI), a new initiative of Catholics for Israel, has officially launched with the release of its founding public statement, “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel.” The statement, signed by Catholic scholars, clergy, and faithful, directly challenges what it describes as a growing and until now largely unanswered current of anti-Israel sentiment — and in some cases outright antisemitism — in Catholic media and public discourse.

The initiative makes a positive and comprehensive case for Catholic solidarity with the Jewish State and people. Its architects argue that opposition to Christian Zionism and hostility toward Israel has increasingly been presented as the “authentic Catholic position,” driven by a resurgent theological supersessionism that the Church’s own magisterium — from Nostra Aetate (1965) to Gifts and Calling (2015) — has consistently rejected.

“Anti-Zionism animated by supersessionism has become, in effect, the new Catholic antisemitism. A coordinated, intellectually serious Catholic response is long overdue.”

— From “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel”

⚡ A Comprehensive Theological Framework

Drawing on Scripture, post-conciliar Church documents, and Catholic moral theology, “For Zion’s Sake” offers a comprehensive framework for faithful Catholic engagement with Israel: one that affirms the Jewish people’s enduring covenantal identity, recognizes the theological significance of their return to the land, and applies honest moral scrutiny to the conflict — without singling Israel out for unique condemnation.

📜 Five Sections of the Statement

Rather than limiting itself to critique, “For Zion’s Sake” devotes its central sections to constructing a positive Catholic framework for understanding and standing with Israel. The statement is structured in five parts:

📂 Three Founding Documents

The three founding documents are publicly available at catholicsforisrael.com:

• ✉
  An Invitation Letter
• 📋
  The Charter of Catholic Voices for Israel
• 📜
  “For Zion’s Sake: A Catholic Appeal in Support of Israel” — Public Statement

The initial signatories of Catholic Voices for Israel include scholars with expertise in theology, Scripture, and Catholic-Jewish relations. The initiative welcomes additional signatories and invites Catholics who share its concerns to add their names to the public statement at catholicsforisrael.com/for-zions-sake.

Representatives of Catholic Voices for Israel are available for interviews, background briefings, and comment. Press materials, including the full text of the public statement and founding documents, are available at catholicsforisrael.com.