The Church's view on John Chrysostom's writings, particularly regarding accusations of anti-Semitism, is nuanced and acknowledges the historical context in which he lived and wrote. Chrysostom, a prominent Church Father and Doctor of the Church, is recognized for his eloquence and pastoral care, but some of his homilies contain harsh criticisms of Jews and Judaism, which have led to interpretations of anti-Semitism
Chrysostom lived during a time of significant religious conflict and tension between Christians and Jews in the Roman Empire. His writings reflect the prevailing attitudes of his time, which were often marked by polemical exchanges between different religious groups. This context is essential for understanding the nature of his comments, which were sometimes aimed at addressing specific issues within his community rather than promoting a blanket condemnation of Judaism as a whole
The Church acknowledges the complexity of Chrysostom's legacy. While his criticisms of Jews can be seen as anti-Semitic by modern standards, they must be understood within the framework of his time. The Church has not canonically condemned him for these views, but contemporary interpretations of his writings often call for a critical examination of their implications
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness within the Church of the need to address historical anti-Semitism and its roots in Christian thought. This includes a reevaluation of figures like Chrysostom
Also one need to recognise that Church teachings are set by the magisterium not by individuals
