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Church of England repents of antisemitism

CMJ USA • May 11, 2022
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As the heir of British catholic Christianity, the Anglican Church marks the 800th anniversary of the notorious Synod of Oxford with a strongly Hebraic service of repentance for historic antisemitism.

by Charles Gardner

Possibly among the most significant events in church history was witnessed in an English cathedral on Sunday, May 8.

The Church of England chose to mark the 800th anniversary of the notorious Synod of Oxford with a strongly Hebraic service of repentance for historic antisemitism. And it took place, appropriately, in the city’s Christ Church Cathedral, with many Jews present.

It was the 1222 synod that passed a raft of laws which paved the way for the eventual expulsion of Jews from England in 1290, the first such decree in Europe. Among the many humiliations imposed upon the Jewish community by the synod was the requirement – another first in Europe – to wear a badge of identity. Also introduced were the infamous ‘blood libels’, accusing Jews of using Christian blood in their Passover sacrifices.

The Bishop of Lichfield, Rt . Rev . Dr . Michael Ipgrave , rightly described it as a “painful and shameful” history, with the synod’s decision shaping the entire medieval church in Europe in contributing to the teaching of contempt for Jews. As Christians, he said, they were there to remember and to repent, adding: “As Christians and Jews together, we are here to rebuild.”  

In a very moving ceremony liberally infused with haunting music, along with choral renditions sung in Hebrew, t he bishop made it clear that the God of Israel is the one “whom Christians also believe to be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ .”  

Leading the prayers, Rt . Rev . William Kenney pointed out how Jesus often quoted the Torah (the first five books of the Bible, foundational to Judaism) in his teaching, and acknowledged “with shame and penitence” the synod’s decrees.  

Rabbi Dr . Jonathan Romain read a passage from Leviticus in Hebrew and said afterwards: “I think the Jews of 1222 would have been astonished to hear Hebrew ring out in this cathedral.”  

Journalist Rebecca Abrams , who outlined the decisions of the historic synod, noted how “unimaginable” this service would have been in medieval England. And Archdeacon of Oxford, Ven erable Jonathan Chaffey, spoke of the “profound significance” of a ceremony dealing with “penitence for all acts of anti-Semitism and religious persecution”.  

I have it on good authority that this service, along with the God’s Unfailing Word report which also addressed this issue, had been strongly advocated in recent years by Love Never Fails , an British umbrella organisation for a number of support groups like Christian Friends of Israel and the Church’s Ministry among the Jewish people.  

Charles Gardner is the editor of CMJ UK Prayer Focus and was on the editorial board of ProphecyToday.uk for seven years.  

 

A choir sings before the altar at Christ Chuch Cathedral, Oxford, England
A choir sings before the altar at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, England, led by a Jewish conductor. (Screen capture from YouTube)

 

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