Posted December 22, 2019

In a letter issued on Dec. 22, Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. offered prayerful best wishes to the Jewish community at the start of this year’s Hanukkah celebration.

(Related: Hanukkah, Christmas and the state of the world.)

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Dear Friends,

As once again the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, please accept my prayerful best wishes and the neighborly greetings of the Catholic clergy and parishioners of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In our day, burdened as we are by so many fears and oppressions, we might feel truly overwhelmed. In contrast, the feast of Hanukkah highlights the victory over oppression which our Heavenly Father has bestowed.

May the light which comes from the menorah bring you a renewed sense of peace and freedom from oppression, especially religious oppression. May our two communities commit ourselves anew to bringing authentic heavenly light to our troubled times.

Sincerely yours,

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia