Catholic Influencers’ Antisemitism Problem, Part II

In a previous article, I argued that the Catholic Church has an ongoing problem with prominent influencers claiming to be Catholic while advocating beliefs antithetical to Catholic teaching. For this reason, they should be disciplined. The article focused on Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, Carrie Prejean Boller, and Pearl Davis.

Church discipline is not to be called for lightly or used against those with whom we merely disagree. It is a serious but essential function of the church in order to shepherd congregants. It is then, for the sake of the souls of those people discussed and the souls of those who listen to them, that they receive discipline.

First, church discipline is essential to catechesis. There has been an open question as to whether there is an influx of young adults entering the Catholic Church and, if there is, to what extent. Proper catechesis of new converts is essential; both Owens and Boller are prime examples of a failure to do so. New and cradle Catholics must be given proper understanding of Church teachings, and it is an issue when influencers with large platforms circumvent the proper Church teaching to push their own narratives. As discussed in the previous article, Boller does not speak for the Catholic Church and holds no authority to do so. And yet, she claims to put forward official Catholic teaching, calling those who disagree with her “heretics.” She continually conflates dispensationalism with all Zionism, calling it a heresy. This despite the fact that it was pointed out to her by fellow Catholics, including Ethics and Public Policy Center President Ryan T. Anderson, at the Religious Liberty Commission, that Catholics can be Zionists if they recognize the right of Jewish people to live in self-autonomy in the state of Israel. Her comments were denounced by the Catholic League, but she is receiving an award from the nationalist group Catholics for Catholics, so it would be helpful to receive clarity from the Church.

It’s not just an issue of whether Catholics can be Zionists. As pointed out in the previous article, Owens, Fuentes, and Boller have made repeated antisemitic statements. What does it teach fellow Catholics if this goes without response? Also pointed out in the previous article was Owen’s use of her platform to attack Erika Kirk and to make false accusations about her publicly (calumny). What does it teach the faithful when someone can publicly engage in it for months, against a widow, with no response? She also claimed she can do astral-projection. This is also true of Fuentes’ bigotry. Davis stated last week that “Mothers do more harm than good to their kids.” She tweeted that in response to a pro-IVF tweet. If the bishops won’t catechize their faithful, then the influencers will, and this is a terrifying prospect.

Second, their behavior harms relations between both Catholics and Jews and Catholics and Protestants. It’s frustrating to have Protestants ask me if there is something inherently antisemitic about Catholicism, but they ask because they hear Owens, Fuentes, and Boller and are appalled. Boller has repeatedly called many Protestants heretics; she labeled U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) a “Christianity-hijacker.” She claims that “Catholics need to take back Christianity.” As Jeremy Boering, the former CEO of The Daily Wire , Owen’s former employer, pointed out, for political reasons, there seems to be a push among these influencers to separate Catholics and Evangelicals on the issue of Israel. In doing so, they not only cause political separation but also harm dialogue generally. Christ prayed for His Church to “be one”; intentionally sowing division within an already divided body of Christ is not in keeping with His teachings.

It is even more detrimental for Catholic relations with the Jewish people. This week, Owens accused Israel of being behind 9/11. Boller repeatedly labeled Israel an “atheist” nation. Owens and Fuentes have, as described in the previous article, downplayed the Holocaust. It’s cruel to downplay the past and continual suffering of Jews. It does nothing to build goodwill. It encourages hatred of Jews.

This week, Boller called criticism by Babylon Bee satirist Seth Dillon of her antisemitic because “Catholics are the spiritual Semites.” She is misappropriating a statement by Pope Pious XI in which he calls antisemitism “inadmissible.” How can a sincere Catholic in good faith blatantly misrepresent the words of a Pope? Her comments make a mockery of actual antisemitism faced by countless Jews. It also makes light of the actual persecution faced by Catholics and Protestants for sharing the gospel. If Boller really cares about Catholic persecution, perhaps she could focus her large platform on the Catholic school students abducted in Nigeria, or imprisoned Catholic Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. Someone who was Catholic longer than a year would perhaps look back on the history of martyrdom going back to the early church and conclude that correction on Twitter/X does not meet the definition. They would also recognize that some of the very same prejudices held against Jews, dual loyalty, and even accusations of cannibalism, have also been used against Catholics. The injustice of those prejudices should help them relate to Jews.

Boller has also taunted Jews on Twitter/X, calling on them to “repent.” We should want all people to repent of sin and accept Christ. But calls for repentance should never be a taunt. It should be a serious call to a relationship with the one true God, whose sacrifice offers salvation. Every Christian should be humbled to participate in God’s plan of salvation through evangelism. We should be ashamed when we make ourselves a stumbling block.

Davis and Fuentes also hurt our witness to women and other minorities. If they hear prominent Catholic influencers say hateful things about them with impunity, why would they turn to the Church?

Finally, it is essential to carry out church discipline for the sake of those needing the discipline. My hope for Owens, Fuentes, Boller, and Davis is for genuine repentance. Discipline is ultimately an act of love by the church; it dignifies the individual by treating them as a moral agent with the capacity to repent and, with His aid, to follow Christ. Scripture is clear that God “disciplines the one He loves.” Right now, nothing would be more loving than to excommunicate these influencers for their own sake and for the sake of those who would jeopardize their souls to follow them down the path of platform aggrandizement. I pray the Church acts accordingly.

More from IRD :

Catholic Influencers’ Antisemitism Problem, Part I

Candace Owens must be excommunicated — for the sake of her soul

Upcoming Event :

Shoulder to Shoulder: Strengthening Jewish-Catholic Friendship at a Moment of Crisis

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