Bishop Joseph C. Bambera extends Yom Kippur wishes

Bishop Joseph C. Bambera sent a video message to the Jewish community to extend his wishes for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In the message posted to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops YouTube channel on Sept. 18, the bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, urged Catholics to reject antisemitism and recognize the spiritual connections between Jews and Catholics.

Bishop Bambera, who chairs the USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, noted that the themes of repentance and reconciliation central to Yom Kippur also resonate with the Catholic faith. He said the observance encourages people to examine the past year and commit to the year ahead by reflecting on how to live more faithfully and generously with God and others.

Yom Kippur will be observed from sunset on Sept. 20 to nightfall on Sept. 21. The holiday follows Rosh Hashanah and is marked by approximately 26 hours of prayer and fasting.