33. Minimalist Catholic Zionism

Simone interviews Dr. Gavin D’Costa about his groundbreaking work in Jewish-Catholic dialogue and the emerging idea of minimalist Catholic Zionism — a theological approach that affirms God’s enduring covenant with the Jewish people while engaging questions of land, justice, and peace.

They explore:

• How Vatican II transformed Catholic-Jewish relations.
• Why the land of Israel is central to Jewish identity and faith.
• How justice for Palestinians fits into a Catholic Zionist framework.
• The role of education in countering antisemitism.
• Why friendship across faith lines is essential for the Church’s future.

A deep and timely conversation for anyone seeking to understand the paradigm shift happening in Catholic-Jewish relations today.

Bio and article to include:

Professor Gavin D’Costa is Professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome; and Emeritus Professor of Catholic Theology at the University of Bristol, UK. D'Costa is author of eight monographs, most recently: Vatican II. Catholic Doctrines on Jews and Muslims, (OUP, 2014) and Catholics and Jews After Vatican II (OUP, 2019). His work has been translated into seven languages. D’Costa has also published a book of poetry, and had has two of his poems (Daughters of Zion, Mass for Uncertain Times) set to music by the English composer, John Pickard. He is an advisor to the Roman Catholic Bishops in England and Wales on matters related to other religions and has worked with the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City.

https://firstthings.com/catholic-zionism/

https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2025/07/98336/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-church-the-jews-and-the-development-of-doctrine

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