Hebrew Catholics

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Hebrew Catholics (in Hebrew עברים קתולים Ivrim Qatholim) are Christians who consider themselves part of the Roman Catholic Church and who follow a liturgy in Hebrew. Many are resident in Israel.

1 Beliefs
2 History
3 Notable Catholics of Jewish origin
4 Notable Hebrew Catholics
5 External links

[edit] Beliefs

Hebrew Catholics are fully in line with the doctrines of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The main point of differentiation lies not in dogmatic beliefs but in liturgical pratices. For example, their liturgical calendar differs from Latin Catholics in their use of Jewish holidays. Hebrew Catholics celebrate Passover, Rosh Hashana, Shavuot, etc.

The movement is not a sectarian nor a schismatic group inside the Catholic Church. Their identification as Hebrew and as Catholic derives from their spiritual background as belonging to the Hebrew People and to the Catholic faith. They do not respond to any other "catholic" denominations but only to the "One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church" at the Vatican See. Their masses are held principally in the Latin Rite (and in fact in the Roman Rite) but in the Hebrew Language. In Israel they are under the pastoral care of Monsignor Michel Sabbah, current Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

[edit] History

It is a worldwide ecumenical movement and voluntary movement of Catholics of both Jewish and non-Jewish origins. The main associations of the movement are the Association of Hebrew Catholics (AHC), Remnant Of Israel (ROI), and Miriam Bat Tzion.

The countries with the largest membership are the USA and Israel, but members are also found in Canada, France, Italy, Australia, Spain, England, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, and Germany.

According to David Moss (2000), the current president of the AHC, their number is around 10,000 people.

Hebrew Catholics should not be confused with Messianic Jews, who are are independent Hebrew Christian denominations, many of them sabbatarian Protestants who follow Calvninist doctrine but celebrate Jewish holy days and emphasize Jewish elements of Christianity. Hebrew Catholics are in full communion with the Vatican and are not an independent movement.