In recent days Carrie Prejean Boller a devoted Catholic and former Miss California USA has faced intense backlash and removal from President Trumps Religious Liberty Commission. This followed her participation in a hearing on antisemitism in America. Critics have accused her of hijacking the event to push anti Israel hate claiming her questions about Zionism and her wearing of a Palestinian flag pin amount to bigotry. They argue that her stance misrepresents Catholicism and undermines the Churchs condemnation of antisemitism.
However a closer examination of Catholic history and doctrine reveals that Boller is not only correct in asserting that Catholicism opposes Zionism but she is also embodying the Churchs commitment to truth justice and religious freedom. Far from deserving removal her courage in challenging the conflation of anti Zionism with antisemitism should be celebrated by true Catholics who reject hatred in all forms against Jews Palestinians or anyone else.
The Historical Roots Pope Pius Xs Rejection of Zionism
Bollers assertion that Catholicism opposes Zionism is grounded in well documented Church history. In 1904 Theodor Herzl the founder of modern political Zionism sought an audience with Pope Pius X to garner Vatican support for establishing a Jewish state in Palestine. Herzls diary recounts the meeting in detail. The Pope firmly rejected the request stating We cannot give approval to this movement. We cannot prevent the Jews from going to Jerusalem but we could never sanction it. The earth of Jerusalem if it was not always holy has been made holy by the life of Jesus Christ. As the head of the Church I cannot tell you anything different. The Jews have not recognized our Lord therefore we cannot recognize the Jewish people.
This encounter confirmed across multiple historical sources including Herzls own writings and Vatican records underscores the Churchs theological opposition to Zionism. Pius Xs response was not rooted in hatred but in Catholic doctrine. The Holy Lands sanctity derives from Christs life death and resurrection not from Old Testament claims that the Church views as fulfilled in the New Covenant. The Catholic Church teaches supersessionism the idea that the Church is the new Israel inheriting the promises of the Old Testament through Jesus Christ as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 781 and 839. This does not negate Gods enduring love for the Jewish people as affirmed in Romans 11 29 the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable but it rejects any theological mandate for a modern Jewish state based on biblical land promises.
Historically the Vatican opposed Zionism for much of the 20th century viewing it as a secular nationalist movement incompatible with Christian theology. Even after establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in 1993 via the Fundamental Agreement largely for practical reasons like protecting Christian holy sites and pilgrims the Holy See has maintained that this recognition is civic not theological. The Catholic Church rejects a theological basis for Zionism and historically opposed it.
Rebutting the Accusations Anti Zionism Is Not Antisemitism
The criticism leveled against Boller that her opposition to Zionism equates to anti Israel hate or antisemitism is a dangerous oversimplification that stifles legitimate debate. During the hearing Boller challenged witnesses on whether criticizing Israels actions in Gaza or opposing political Zionism constitutes antisemitism. She defended commentator Candace Owens against unfounded smears and quoted Scripture to probe the boundaries of free speech. Critics like Commission Chair Dan Patrick accused her of pursuing a personal and political agenda but this ignores the hearings very purpose to address antisemitism while protecting religious liberty.
The debate over whether anti Zionism is inherently antisemitic is nuanced. While some argue that denying Jewish self determination while affirming it for others can veer into antisemitism especially if laced with tropes like conspiracy theories opposition to Zionism itself is not automatically hateful. Bollers questions did no such thing. They highlighted the hypocrisy of equating all criticism of Israel with bigotry a tactic that silences voices concerned about Palestinian suffering.
Moreover the Catholic Church has unequivocally condemned antisemitism since Vatican IIs Nostra Aetate in 1965 which denounces hatred persecutions displays of anti Semitism directed against Jews at any time and by anyone. Popes John Paul II Benedict XVI and Francis have repeatedly affirmed this with Francis calling antisemitism a poison and urging solidarity with Jews. Yet the Church also advocates for a two state solution condemns violence in Gaza and recognizes the State of Palestine diplomatically since 2015. Bollers Palestinian flag pin and calls to condemn actions in Gaza align with this balanced approach opposing Zionisms theological claims while rejecting hatred and supporting peace.
Those attacking Boller often invoke Scripture selectively claiming Christians must support Israel because every figure in the Bible was Jewish and Jesus was a Jew. This misses the point. Catholicism reveres the Jewish roots of Christianity but sees the New Covenant as superseding the Old. As St Paul writes in Romans 9 6 to 8 Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel. It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God but the children of the promise. Indifference to Palestinian suffering is not Christian love. It is a distortion. Comparisons to the KKK or Hitler are inflammatory red herrings. Bollers stance is about doctrine not hate.
The critics narrative that Boller does not speak for the Church ignores that she echoes historical popes and current teachings. Pope Francis has condemned antisemitism while calling for an end to violence in Gaza. Bollers removal for refusing to affirm Zionism as a condition of participation undermines the Commissions mandate to protect conscience. As she stated Forcing people to affirm Zionism is directly contrary to religious freedom.
In defending Boller we defend authentic Catholicism. One that loves our Jewish brothers and sisters condemns all hatred and rejects theological Zionism without apology. Her removal is not a victory against bigotry but a loss for open dialogue. True Catholics stand against all hatred period including the weaponization of antisemitism to silence principled voices. Carrie Prejean Boller did not hijack a hearing. She illuminated truth. For that she deserves our support not scorn.
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