Brussels Church Apologizes for 1370 Blood Libel, Removes Antisemitic Stained Glass Window

A significant moment in the history of Jewish-Christian relations occurred on April 27, 2026, when the Archbishop of Brussels, Luc Terlinden, and Chief Rabbi Albert Guigui unveiled a multi-lingual plaque at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. This gesture was aimed at addressing a centuries-old blood libel, where Jews were historically accused of desecrating the Eucharist, particularly referencing an event from 1370.

During that year, at least six Jews were falsely accused of stealing communion breads and stabbing them, leading to their execution and the subsequent expulsion of the entire Jewish community from Brussels. This event became a grim annual tradition in the form of processions, deeply rooted in the antisemitism prevalent during that time.

In the ceremony last week, the church officially acknowledged these wrongful accusations, stating, "We acknowledge that in the late Middle Ages, in various parts of Europe, Jewish communities were wrongly accused of desecrating the host. This slander, often fueled by fear and religious ignorance, led to persecution, massacres, and unjust expulsions."

The stained-glass windows that depicted this blood libel were removed and replaced with a new plaque written in Dutch, French, English, and Hebrew. This plaque not only expresses regret but also emphasizes a commitment to combat antisemitism and foster ongoing dialogue between Jews and Christians. Statements from Religious Leaders

Archbishop Terlinden reiterated the necessity of confronting the antisemitic actions of the past, highlighting that such hatred contradicts the core tenets of Christianity. In his words, "Religion must never be used to justify violence or harm human dignity."

Rabbi Guigui praised the initiative as a long-overdue acknowledgment of a painful historical wound that has had real consequences, such as exclusion and violence against Jewish communities. He emphasized the importance of contextualizing these historical events so they are not repeated.

This event marks a pivotal step towards reconciling the complex and often painful history between the two religious communities in Belgium. The removal of the stained-glass windows signifies a move to not only rectify past injustices but also educate future generations about the importance of truth, memory, and mutual respect.