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Church of England Apologizes for 800-Year-Old Anti-Semitic Laws
(Observer-UK) Harriet Sherwood - The Church of England apologized on Sunday for its "shameful actions" in passing anti-Jewish laws 800 years ago that paved the way for the expulsion of Jews from England. A special service at Christ Church cathedral in Oxford, marking the 800th anniversary of the Synod of Oxford, was attended by Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, with representatives of the archbishop of Canterbury and a Roman Catholic bishop. The synod passed laws forbidding social interactions between Jews and Christians, forcing Jews to wear identifying badges, imposing church tithes on them, banning them from certain professions, and forbidding them from building new synagogues. Hundreds were arrested, hanged or imprisoned. Eventually, all the Jews in England were expelled in 1290 by King Edward I. They were not permitted to return for more than 360 years. The move follows a 2019 document produced by the Church of England which said Christian attitudes towards Judaism over centuries had provided a "fertile seed-bed for murderous anti-Semitism." Anglicans and other Christians must actively challenge anti-Jewish attitudes and stereotypes, said the document.