45. Gavin D'Costa

Gavin D’Costa has become the leading advocate for what he calls a “moderate Catholic Zionism.” A professor of Catholic theology at the University of Bristol (UK), he advises the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican.

His essay “The New Catholic Zionism” in Mosaic Magazine last year connected the dots on doctrinal developments in the Catholic Church since the 2nd Vatican Council and argued that at this point the logic of the developments under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI is irresistible and will lead to an emerging Catholic support for Zionism. The essay led to lively debates with Catholic and Jewish thinkers, and D’Costa has a major book on the subject due out this fall.