The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has criticized former Roman Catholic Bishop of Dominica and outgoing Archbishop of Trinidad and Tobago Edward Gilbert for his anti-Jewish comments.
Reports indicate that during a sermon last Sunday, Gilbert negatively compared Trinidadian politicians to Jews, whom he described as “although a compassionate and caring people only looked after the people of their nation.”
The remarks did not go down well with Rabbi David Rosen, AJC’s International Director of Inter-religious Affairs, who criticized the archbishop. “Such prejudicial comments not only reflect personal ignorance, but also ignorance of the teaching of the Catholic Church since Nostra Aetate,” he said.
He continued, “Archbishop Gilbert’s comments again highlight the need for more effective global Catholic education regarding the Holy See’s official teaching on Jews and Judaism.”
Rosen stated that the 1974 Vatican Guidelines on Nostra Aetate precisely warn against such misrepresentation and generalizations and called on the Holy See to reiterate its repudiation of such prejudicial stereotyping.
Gilbert was named the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau on July 1, 1994 by Pope John Paul II and was ordained by Archbishop Kelvin Edward Felix of Castries on September 7, 1994.
During his six years in Roseau Bishop Gilbert worked to reorganize the diocese. He inaugurated the Diocesan Synod, which involved the clergy, religious and laity in all its aspects. He modernized church structures, which included the appointment of the first woman to be the chancellor of the diocese.
Unfortunately, some of us in the past though we may be “compassionate and caring” have not shown the kindness and extended the practical help we should have towards those whose “don’t belong”, or those outside our own circle. Historically, some people or nations may be remembered for such an omission. It may help to understand the sociology involved. Whether it is an indiviual, famly, or nation, the dynamic is the same. In some cases it may be pure selfishness. But those who have been mistreated by others over a significant period of time may develop a defensive sort of selfishness. When they eventually get established and begin doing reasonably well they tend to take care of themselves and withold from others because for one thing they don’t think they owe them anything. It is sometimes very difficult to forgive and rise above the hurts of the past. Is what Bishop Gilbert said about the Jews – and the Trinidadians – true? I have no idea. If it was true at one time it may not be true now. If it was true of some it may not be true of all. The Bishop was trying to make a point as preachers do. He used what he thought at the moment was a suitable illustration. Perhaps afterwards he realized it was not appropriate but he couldn’t take his words back. It goes to show how careful we should all be. Let us pray for grace to forgive the wrongs done against us. Let God heal our individual and collective hurts. By seeing the good in others and helping those we can help we will create a better life now and build bridges into a glorious future for our children. Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist. http://www.livinghopeministries.ca
Archbishop Gilbert IS an honorable prelate. He served the archdiocese of Port-of-Spain VIBRANTLY for a decade.
In spite of ill health, he did not resign his office until well into December 2011, the month of his 75th birthday. Such ensured a smooth transition to his coadjutor, a local archbishop, who assumed office yesterday evening.
An inappropriate statement in a sermon is not THE sermon. Articulation error, certainly better avoided, cannot detract from the MAGNANIMOUS SERVICE he, His Grace, rendered to our beloved archdiocese.
I appreciate the statement “An inappropriate statement in a sermon is not THE sermon.”
People tend to hear what they want to hear.
We need to be mature enough to listen to a sermon and take from it what we can agree with allowing even the preacher to have his opinion. If the statement is correct it does not take away from the good qualities I see in the Jewish people.
Actually, the only thing we must believe, accept, and take from any sermon is the Word of God
The illustrations a preacher uses and the opinions he shares are to be considered but are not binding for our salvation.
One could look at any race and see a flaw here or a shortcoming there. If we’re going to rise above “racism” in our day we must understand that these things are part of the human condition and work towards something called “brotherhood.”
In the case of the Jewish people in view of the persecution they have suffered though the centuries and the horrific treatment they received during WW 2 It is understandable if they are concerned now about taking care of themselves and take the attitude that they owe nobody else anything. Few people could come out of such a furnace unscathed! They need a collective inner healing that only comes with time.
No single race has contributed more. Lets us pray for them and the Nation of Israel which the Bible declares is “the apple of God’s eye”.
Without actually hearing the sermon I doubt if the Bishop meant any ill feelings towards the Jews. I think he was probably trying to make the point that it is possible to become selfish and neglect the needs of others especially if one has been hurt. This is contrary to Christian charity. It is something he is cautioning us to guard against.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
Archbishop Gilbert is an American. He is not a native of Trinidad and Tobago, by either birth or naturalization.His statements do not in any way reflect the sentiments of the people of our archdiocese of Port of Spain .He knows very little about Trinidad politicians or the Jews who lived before those Jews who formed the Church.He is supposed to vacate his office and return to his native United States of America before the year’s end
Wow. If the bishop had made his generalizing remark about black people instead of Jews, I wonder if we would be so quick to show him support. I’m a bit disturbed at the people below happily claiming that all Jews are like the bishop said. Don’t you realize that you can never fit all people under one umbrella? Generalizations like this are only steps away from outright antisemitism (or, if the bishop was talking about black people, racism, or misogyny if he were referring to women). Do not make sweeping generalizations about groups and races of people like this.
Whether the Jews like it or not, it is after all the GOSPEL TRUTH. That’s exactly how Jews are!!!
We have seen things that would cause us to think maybe you are right.
However,this raises some questions.
1) Is this true about All Jews or just some?
2) If the answer is “just some”, or if you simply don’t know, do you think it is right for you to have the attitude you do?
3) Is it true about ALL Jews now or only in the past?
4) If the answer is “just some” is it right to judge ALL by the attitude of “some”?
5) Can you think of a legitimate reason why some Jews may care only about themselves and not others? Take a sheet of paper and write it down.
6)) It is possible that many Jews are bitter towards other people because they have been hurt by them in the past? Take a sheet of paper and write it down.
7) What did Germany do and what did the Roman Catholic Church do during WW 2 to make the Jews think they owe them absolutely nothing? Take time to research these questions. Write your answers in the form of an essay.
There are good people in our world today who still carry hurts from unjust and cruel treatment received from others in the past.
Some individuals have been able to forgive and let go because (a) they understand that not ALL were responsible for the bad treatment they received, (b) people do make mistakes due to wrong or incomplete information, or circumstances over which they (thought) they had no control, (c)) people can and do change, (d)) eternity is too long to go through life with a grudge or ill feelings no matter how well deserved they were in the beginning.
On the other hand, there are those who refuse to forgive and let go even though they know the people who are being influenced and hurt by their attitude today had absolutely nothing to do with the original problem and may know nothing about it. They go through life with hateful thoughts and bitter feelings towards people of the past they never knew. This influences their relationships with others now and has a negative impact on their lives.
This reminds me of stores I heard from the old frontier days in western Canada and the USA. There were families that were bitter enemies.
They refused to speak. 
All they knew was that there was bad blood between the families. Their great, great, great grandparents had suffered a falling out. Somebody had removed an old landmark. A few chicken had been stolen, a couple of steers had disappeared in the night. Nobody had any idea who was right or wrong. They just thought to be reconciled to their neighbors now would be a betrayal of their ancestors! 
These kind of people go nowhere! They miss opportunities in life because other people don’t like and can’t trust what thy see in them. They pass on their perspective to their children and another generation is damaged. They more they fall behind the more they blame the hurts of the past and things get worse.
We need to get rid of the frontier mentality. May God help us to understand that the past is the past. Not everybody – probably nobody – today would agree with the cruel injustices of long ago. People change. Fresh opportunities present themselves. Each new generation is today’s opportunity
to possess the Kingdom of God! It is time to look for the good in others and watch for ways to bless and help them. 
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
That religous confusion that have the world in this state of war, backed by politican is going to distory the world. There is ONE GOD under the sun, and no room for religion, this divice, which was and is still being used to devide and rule people with false promises.jews and arabs are the same people separated by greed.the truth always offend.The bishop knows what he is talking about cause they are all in the same organisation,’Religion’
Based on what is reported in the news story, I see nothing prejudical or deragatory in the statement of Bishop Gilbert. It is a commonly accepted fact that the Jews in American is a major column in the defence of the State of Isreal. They exert tremendous political and financial power in the U.S which is used to further the interests of Isreal and the Jews without regard to the claims of any other group.
Conscious: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob has prospered the Jews in the USA so they CAN further the interests of Israel. When they DO support Israel God prospers them even more! No other group of people have any valid claim whatsoever on the land that is now called Israel. In fact Israel has not yet taken possession of all the land that is theirs. Read Genesis 15. Israel will eventually – maybe sooner than you think – possess all the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants from ISAAC. No other people have any legal claim upon a square mile of this territory. Not even the UN can give it to them. They can no more stop the advance of Israel when God’s time comes than they could stop the restoration of Israel’s nationhood. True Christians love the Jewish people because out of them – from the Tribe of Judah – came the Messiah, our Redeemer, and our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ! The majority of Jews do not yet recognize Him. But in a coming day Israel will offically acknowledge Him to be their long awaited One! In that day Isaiah 53 will become their confession of faith! Until then let us love the Jews and appreciate the contributions they have given the world. The best is yet to be for them and all who receive Christ. Romans 5:6,8, 1 Corinthans 15:3-4, Acts 16:31, St. John 1:11,12, Revelation 3:20. Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, Pentecostal Evangelist. http://www.livinghopeministries.ca Please go to ARTICLES and read my article THINGS THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN.
I work for EL AL(Israel Airlines).
His comments may not have been “politically correct” but it’s the HARD truth.
u think u incognito but mossad done trace that comment already…hhhmmm remember what they did to the hamas leader in abu dabi… watch out
Then mossad must have a very large black book because the whole world is waking up to oppose their evil ways and bogus claims!!
Only if the jews were actually jews
Revealtions 2:9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Boto you are so right, I gave you a thumbs up!
Thank you for reminding these Christians of their own scriptures which they have forgotten.
@Abu
Boto did not remind us, who are devoted Christians, with Knowledge of God Almighty and His Ways, nothing about our scripture.
I wish that you guys would stop looking at the attitude and conducts of human beings like yourselves. to judge other people’s relationship with God.
Even if a person claims to be a Christian, that does not mean anything. You know that truth in the habits of priests, pastors, and all of those people who clowning around claiming godliness to receive fame, power, and to get rich with money.
And just because you do not see anything about God in those persons, it does not give you the right to judge everyone else according to your judgment of that/those persons.
As I have already said in an earlier post, God is Spirit, and He is not interested in those who are conformed to the flesh. Because the functions of the flesh is guided by the laws of this world, which are not the laws of God.
Spiritual Israel–God’s opinion of a Jew– is any person who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God–those who believed in His name: they were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The apostle John, speaking about Jesus Chris, at John: 1: 12-13
A Christian is not a Christian unless he/she is born again–to become a child of God. The same is for a Jew in the flesh. And at God’s time He will make One in Spirit and in Truth.
And so, as children of God we must be people who are in the process of mind renewal, on our way to complete wholeness–knowing God in Spirit and in Truth. So I am part of Spiritual Israel–a Jew in the favor of God Almighty.
Hence the Book of Revelations speak to the Churches, who claimed to be people, children of God–Spiritual Israelites, Jews in God’s terms–but those people are not what they claim to be in God’s favor–just like a whole lot of people who call themselves Christians, are not who they claim to be.
It is other people and those who claim to be Jews of today, who believe they are true Jews; not so, in the favor of God Almighty in His Person, Jesus Christ–exactly as it is written at the Revelation 2: 9.
Besides, most Jews of today are the people who did not accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour–“He came to His own and His own did not receive Him”. John 1: 11 How can people say they are mine, if they will not receive me in their house?
I do not need anyone to point out that truth in the Holy Bible to me. There is a huge number of people like me, out there.
“In many cases in this country, there are people who love one another, who are compassionate, but they have the mind-set of the original Jewish people. They are good to their own … but they have not universalized the concept of love.”
Bishop is RIGHT!
Well it’s about time the clergy told these imposters about themselves. And it’s typical how when told the truth they try that victim s**t.
it is time the jews adopt PEACE
Not a lie AB, but you all are the same, they all brutalize people and hid behind religion, and believe god like them more than others. on another note why should there be a country just for people of one religious belief? please keep it is in the bible for yourself, i doh want to hear it
Secularism is a way of life and/or “religion” in itself so why not keep it to yourself? The table spins both ways.
How is “secularism” a religion? I assume by “secularism” you mean unbelief–but, actually, the word “secularism” means the view that church and state must be kept separate and does not necessarily suggest an irreligious viewpoint. Secularists–or, if you wish to talk about unbelievers, as I suspect you do, unbelievers–moreover have no holy text, no dogma, no tenets (except, perhaps, a rejection of religion). A rejection of religion cannot be a religion. That is a false use of words. And, it cannot be “a [single] way of life” because secularism can embody many ways of living.
“a rejection of religion in government” is what I meant for secularists and “a rejection of religion” for unbelievers. Typed the above a bit too fast.
eh beh look it!
The Bishop did not lie….
Bishop did not lie what?
If Gilbert wanted to criticize the politicians based on their attitude and behavior his comments might be appropriate and understandable.
The Jews globally are criticized by most politicians, so to link the altitude and behavior of a politician to any conduct of a Jew, according to Gilbert, simply exposes his personal hate for Israel, and the Jews in general!
If he believes that the Jews are wealth grabbers, the Roman Catholic Church, of which he has been part of while living on the blood of poor people even in Dominica, is as greedy, and grab for everything within sight more than any Jew I know; and the Roman Catholic Church and it hierarchy has been that way dating back to the days of the Crusaders!
The Crusaders, plundered and kill, occupying land in the name of the Roman Catholic Church, and the lord!
And while they were plundering, and killing, they had the cross hanging on their necks, and claim they were protected by God, while they were plundering and chopping of the heads of people to get their land.
They came to the Caribbean, and Dominica for that matter, with Bible in hand, and the Cross carried in front of them while they grab and stoled all the choice land in our country!
If you do not believe me, any place in Dominica where you know there is a Roman Catholic Church, a Methodist, or Anglican Church, check it out and see what your eyes reveal. You will discover as I said all the land they owned are indeed choice pieces of land.
And Gilbert, or any other priest or so called Bishop reading this, do not even bother to make the sign of the cross on your head, and mumble any mumbo- jumbo!
Gone are the days when we believe you people had a direct pipeline to God, therefore you were the untouchables, we have long know better!
” For as many as believe on him, to them give he power to become the sons of God.”
I fear you not!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
@FETele
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”. John 1: 12
“Children of God” used in my New King James Version of the English Bible translation, is more appropriate, since “Sons” in today’s language exemplifies the male gender of human beings.
Genesis 1: 27 says “Male and female He created them”, pertaining to God’s creation of mankind. The Israelites were never referred to as “Sons of God” in the Bible, but the wicked angels were.
We have to remember that God’s Holy Spirit inspired the first writers of the Holy Bible, but since then human beings, without the understanding of God and His influence in their minds, have also translated the Word of God, using the language of human wisdom and philosophy.
Those errors are noticed by people who are spiritually filled, and they can be corrected; for God is a Living God, and He wants His people to know the “Truth”.
You stated, Gilbert expressed his hatred for Jews. What are you expressing for Catholics?
Other leaders must speak against this pseudo Jews in the world today. I advise all civil people to read “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” thus they will see the intentions and evil of these pseudo Jews in our world today. Remember in the Talmud, Jews believe that gentiles are sub-human!
Brother Abu, wasn’t your prophet Abraham a jew?Was he not the father of both Ishmael and Isaac and to this day is hallowed by muslims and jews alike? Peace be upon you.
And what exactly is your point Cerberus?
Abu Ysuf: It is now known that the so-called Protcols of the Elders of Zion is a forgery and has absolutely no validity. The Word of God – the Holy Bible – tells us that Israel will eventually possess ALL the land that God promised to Abraham and his decendents from Isaac. The ancient throne of King David will be re-established in Jerusalem. Nail pierced feet will mount that throne and a nail pierced hand will raise the scepter over the nations. The once dispised and rejected Jewish carpender will rule the nations. Jerusalem will be the capital – not only of Israel – but of a world wide kingdom. In that day, “…every knee will bow, … and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) Our generaton has seen the miracle of the nation of Israel being restored. May 14, 1948, that nation which had been out of existance for over 2,000 years was spoken back into existance by Amighty God, fulfilling the many prophecies of our Old and New Testaments! Israel – the apple of God’s eye – stands today as a testimony to the faithfulness of God, the truth of the Bible, and a reminder that our blessed Lord is coming soon! Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist. http://www.livinghopeministries.ca
Wasn’t Jesus Christ himslef not born a jew? According to the gospel of St. Luke he was circumcised eight days after his birth, in accordance with jewish religious requirement.
circumcision was given to the entire house of abraham,servants,jews and non jews and all,so where are coming from about jewish requirement,this was a covenant for people in accordance with god,the thing is people are starting to question the people that are in present day jerusalem,are they truly the elects of god or impostures,why are their skin color white,i cant seem to get it,seeing we were enslave by whites, and does not a hot climate suppose to produce dark skin people,and was’it this state established sometime in 1945 or so,any people could claim to be the people of god.
Are you for real? What has a man’s skin colour got to do with the disposition of his heart? Jews can be accused of many things but not of colour prejudice. The Israelis took in their black Etheopian brehtern, at great expense, to safeguard them from persecution and look after them as their own. Their is a thriving black jewish (Beta) community in Israel to this day.
Zionist of any color are worst than Nazis and that is what those european imposters running Israel are.
They need to wake up to the fact that the world is now tired of the evil hypocrisy!!
@Cerberus
Yes, Jesus was born a Jew, for God was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were the primary fathers of the Jews, Jacob being the father of the Israelites–God chosen people.
However, not all Jews were of ancient Isralites, much, much worse so, for today. I will explain as I write.
For example, God did not accept Ishmael’s descendants who was Abraham’s first born son, through Hagar, the black maidservant of Abraham’s wife Sarah.
Sarah had influenced that idea in Abraham, to take her maid, Hagar, that she might conceive through him, because Sarah was a barren woman, and she thought that she could not give Abraham a son to become heir of his Estate.
God did not accept Abraham’s idea of making Ishmael his heir, but He promised to bless Ishmael, who was sent back to Egypt with his mother, Hagar, because of her conflict with Sarah, as she had now given birth to her own son, Isaac.
God had promised to make Abraham the father of many nations. But through Isaac, He promised Abraham a Land for His chosen people–that Land was Canaan, now known as Israel.
For those people who say they do not believe and the Bible is not true, there are visible evidence everywhere to prove God and the Truth of His Word in the Holy Bible.
Through God’s chosen people–mainly Jacob, the son of Isaac, Isaac being the son of Abraham, God promised to make a New Covenant with Isaac’s descendants–So Isaac is known as the Son of the promise in the Holy Bible.
Ishmael’s descendants would have been the black Jews who populated Egypt, and better known as the Ishmaelites, but not Israelites.
Ishmaelites may be the founding root of Muslims in the days of Mohamed–the founder of the Islamic religion, the reason why part of the Quran contains information, as in the first five books of the Holy Bible.
Isaac took Rebeka as his wife and she conceived twins–Jacob and Esau. God had already rejected Esau in Rebeka’s womb, when He said: “Esau I hate, but Jacob I love”.
That is the reason Jacob received all the blessings from Isaac, which Esau should have received, because he was born first. God used Rebeka–Isaac’s wife, Jacob and Esau’s mother– to fulfill His plans in Jacob.
That is also a long story but here, we learn again, that Esau’s descendants, though they were Jews, they were not Israelites. Esau’s descendants were known as Edomites, another name in the Old Testament of the Bible, for Esau.
The Edomites were an enemy of the Israelites, causing a lot of war, but the Israelites we always victorious, because God Almighty was the strength that moved them.
Jacob was renamed Israel, because He wrestled with a Man of God all night and he sustained, with only a broken rib. But Jacob promised not to let go of that Man of God, until God had blessed him. So God renamed him Israel, because it was God Himself, in the body of a Man, that Jacob had wrestled with.
The apostle John writes about Jesus, saying: “He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” Jesus’ own, in His days on earth, were the Israelites the sect of Jews whom God had chosen to be His own people
That is where people are not in harmony, today, pertaining to understanding who children of God or even Israelites–who are better known as Jews are.
A mass number of people claim that we are “all children of God” That is the biggest error of human beings. God loves all people, but we must be born again, to become His child. God is not of flesh and blood, but He is Life; and Life does not exist in the flesh.
Today a Jew in God’s term is a person of Spirit and Truth; undergoing the process of mind renewal. A person in the process of mind renewal will know it by the message of theif faith. That person is someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior, surrendering completely to His Lordship as they continue to exist in this world.
Therefore by faith, God has adopted that person as His Child, making him/her part of spiritual Isrealites–the Bride to be of Jesus Christ.
That is why we have to remove religion from our relationship with God. A Jew in God’s favor is, the person who has received the Light that is his/her Life because of faith God’s Person of Love, Jesus Christ–he/she is not the person who is bent on following religious rules and regulations alone.
Human beings like Bishop Gilbert of the Roman Catholic Church, and the people of the Jewish religion who opposed to his comments are both focused on the idea of religion.
They have both missed the point about God and His Ways of Life. God is interested in Spiritual Israel–who will be both Jews and Gentiles in the last days.
Physical Israel of today is focused on the aspect of religion, but religion is an aspect of the world, and the things of the world is not of God, Eternal Spirit, whom Jesus calls Father.
Unless those people put their acts together straightening up their faith and trust in God Almighty, they are all in for a tragic surprise.
That is why Jesus said narrow is the door of the gate that leads to Eternal Life, and only a few will enter. He also tells us that Eternal Life is “knowledge” of God Almighty and Him, who represents the Son. Religion does not influence people to walk the path where they find God and to know Him.
Our blessed Lord Jesus Christ was a Jew.
He was from the Nation of Israel, the Tribe of Judah, and the Family of David, and born of the virgin just as the Old Testament prophets foretold He would be.
He descended from the royal line of David through His mother. However, He is in line to the Throne through Joseph His adoptive father. It is the linage of Joseph that gives Him the legal right to the Throne of David.
The Bible makes it clear that the ancient Throne of David will be restored in Jerusalem. Someday soon Christ will sit upon that Throne. Israel will possess ALL the land that God promised, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants for ever!
From the Throne of David Jesus Christ (Messiah) will rule the nations of the earth in a world wide kingdom.
God Himself will make good Israel’s claim to the land. Regardless of what happens between now and then in that day Israel’s right to the land will be undisputed. The same God who spoke Israel back into existence in 1948 will give them the land to be their undivided inheritance.
To be part of the Kingdom of God you must be born again by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving Him as your Savior. He told the Jewish Rabbi Nicodemus, “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (St. John 3:3)
On the cross Christ – by His death – paid the price in full for the salvation of every Jew and every Gentile. God raise Him from the dead to show that He had accepted the sacrifice of His Son’s death for our salvation! The experience of bring “born again” comes when we believe this and receive Christ as our Savior!
Please read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 2:8,9, Revelation 3:20!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.