When Amy-Jill Levine was a child in a largely Catholic town in Massachusetts, a classmate once accused her of “killing Christ” because she was Jewish. Her mother reassured her that this was not true, and young Levine responded by attending a Catholic catechism class to learn more about her Christian neighbors. That early curiosity grew into a distinguished career as a scholar of Christian Scriptures, bridging the gap between Jewish and Catholic understandings of the Bible.
Historic election to lead the Catholic Biblical Association
Earlier this month the Catholic Biblical Association of America announced that Levine had been elected its first‑ever Jewish president. The association, which includes both Catholic and non‑Catholic scholars, is dedicated to advancing biblical study within a faith context. Levine has been an active member for decades, co‑authoring books with Christian scholars and even presenting a volume to Pope Francis.
Supporters say her election reflects her scholarly excellence and long‑standing commitment to Catholic‑Jewish dialogue. “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,” said Gregory E. Sterling, chair of the association’s executive board, and Archie Wright, its executive director.
Online backlash and calls for respect
Following the announcement, social‑media accounts with tens of thousands of followers posted denouncements. Critics labeled Levine “anti‑Christian,” accused her of trying to hijack Catholicism, and interwove anti‑Jewish remarks with anti‑Zionist commentary. The backlash highlights a rise in antisemitic sentiment across the country.
Levine, an adherent of Orthodox Judaism, responded on Facebook that hate, name‑calling, and slandering are not forms of evangelism. She emphasized that her work shows “we do not need to make Judaism look bad in order to make Jesus look good,” and she frequently defends the Catholic Church against bigoted statements.
Faith leaders praise the appointment
Bishop Joseph Bambera of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote to Levine, calling her election “a fitting celebration of the genuinely interfaith character of biblical scholarship” and noting that it reflects the Vatican’s call for deeper mutual respect between Catholics and Jews.
Past presidents of the association also signed a statement urging an end to the hateful comments, saying, “We need to live and practice the values of our faith, values that are not evident in the criticisms.” Protestant and Catholic scholars, including New Testament expert Ben Witherington III, praised Levine’s scholarship and her dedication to teaching, even in a Nashville prison.
Levine’s vision for the role
As president, Levine plans to promote excellence in biblical studies, support scholars’ research, and work with Catholic bishops to ensure that textbooks used in parochial schools and catechesis do not contain antisemitic messages. She hopes to strengthen Jewish‑Catholic relations and encourage respectful dialogue across faith communities.
Levine’s appointment underscores the progress made since the Second Vatican Council’s affirmation of shared Christian‑Jewish patrimony and Pope John Paul II’s call for reconciliation. While the backlash reveals lingering prejudice, many see this historic election as a step toward greater understanding and cooperation between faith traditions.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
