20. Catholic Social Teaching & Advocating for Palestinians

Across the Divide

In this episode, Daniel engages in a conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner, a Catholic public theologian, author, and educator. They discuss the work Duffner has been doing since October 7, including a sign-on letter she co-authored from U.S. Catholics on Israel-Palestine. They also delve into another article she co-authored to help Catholics better understand the situation in Gaza, Israel, and Palestine. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to Catholic Social Teaching.

In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jordan discusses some of her research on islamophobia and the role it plays in impacting the way people in the West think about Palestine. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.

Jordan Denari Duffner specializes in Muslim-Christian relations, interreligious dialogue, and Islamophobia. She holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University and serves on the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace, which advocates for justice for all in Israel-Palestine. She has written two books, Finding Jesus among Muslims: How Loving Islam Makes Me a Better Catholic (2017) and Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination (2021). In 2023, she was also appointed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue. You can find her writing at her Substack publication, Digging Our Well, follow her on social media, and contact her via JordanDenari.com.

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Show Notes:

Catholic sign-on letter with signatures: Sign-On Letter from U.S. Catholics on Israel-Palestine

Article on Catholic social teaching and I-P: What should Catholics think about Gaza, Israel and Palestine? Catholic social teaching has answers. | America Magazine

Essay on crossing the border: What’s in a name? Stories of interrogation at the Israeli border