Amidst outcry, a job advertisement by the Theological Faculty at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland has garnered attention for its specific requirement of Catholic

affiliation, as reported by Ynet on Monday.

The criteria stipulated membership in the Catholic Church and the possession of a "canonical doctorate" (from a Catholic educational institution), according to the local Jewish community newspaper, Tachles.

The exclusion of Jewish candidates, as well as Protestants or those without religious affiliation, from a position in Jewish studies has ignited concerns within Swiss public discourse. Georg Kreis, President of the Federal Commission Against Racism, condemned the job listing, asserting that discrimination against Jews has no place in such roles.

The University of Lucerne did not refute the report and maintains that this requirement is fundamental to the role. "This professorial position involves engagement with the Christian-Jewish dialogue itself, which encompasses participation in Catholic missions and church committees," the university stated.

However, Alfred Bodenheimer, a Professor of Jewish Religious History and the head of the Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Basel in Switzerland, remains skeptical of this explanation. Bodenheimer, who previously taught at Lucerne, realized that meeting such criteria offered no opportunity for advancement to a senior position. In contrast, Basel appointed Bodenheimer as the first Jewish dean of the Faculty of Theology.

In response, Jonathan Kreutner, the CEO of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Switzerland, commented, "While we recognize that a Catholic institution's faculty has its own prerequisites for appointing professors, we find it puzzling if no alternative exists at present. We are engaging in discussions with both the Catholic Church and the theological faculty authorities. We believe that potential solutions and compromises can be found." Photo by Daniela Burkart (burkart.lu), Wikimedia commons.