By Tablet Staff

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — As the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Palestinian attack on Israeli soil approaches, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York and Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn issued a joint statement to mark the event.

“These should be days of rejoicing as the Jewish community celebrates the beginning of a new year, but we know that there is a somber atmosphere as we mark the one-year anniversary of the evil, heinous terrorist attack against Israel last year on October 7th,” the statement said. “Our hearts continue to break for those whose lives were lost that terrible day, and for the innocent hostages still held in captivity in Gaza.”

“In the year that has followed, we know that many more innocent people have been caught in the grips of war, and we mourn every life lost, of Israelis and Palestinians, of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others,” they added. “As Pope Francis so eloquently reminds us, religion can never be used to legitimize violence — never! As Christians, and together with people of all faiths, we employ that most powerful tool that we have, prayer, to pray for peace in that land called ‘holy.’”

The statement continued by addressing the growth of antisemitism here in the city and showing support for “our Jewish friends here in New York,” letting them know “you are not alone.”

“Too often in the past, we Catholics have failed to stand with you against hatred and antisemitism,” the statement said. “Shame on us for those times! We join now with religious leaders from all faiths pledging that we will not tolerate antisemitism in any form.

“May the God of peace and justice bring true and lasting peace to Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, the Holy Land, and the entire Middle East.”