Archbishop joins Christian leaders in statement against racism

Archbishop J. Michael Miller has added his signature to an open letter from Christian leaders condemning the sin of racism.

The Vancouver archbishop is one of more than 130 signatories to the statement, titled An Open Letter to the Province of British Columbia and Canada.

In the letter they state, “as Christian leaders in our province, we categorically condemn the sin of racism” and “grieve and mourn” continued racism against all people, especially “against Asians, and Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) in our Canadian communities.”

The letter was released in honour of Asian Heritage Month in May as well as the centenary in 2023 of Canada’s Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned most Chinese immigration to Canada.

Asian Heritage Month, the signatories add, “reminds us of both the contributions made by the Asian communities and the sad historical realities such as the Head Tax, the Vancouver Anti Asian Riots of 1907, and the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II.”

Saying they are “saddened by the rise in verbal and physical attacks on Asian Canadians,” they note “anti-Asian racist incidents have grown at unprecedented rates since 2020.”

The letter says COVID-19 has amplified anti-Asian rhetoric and violence, serving as a reminder that “women and seniors continue to be disproportionately affected by incidents of racism.”

They letter includes a pledge “to stand with and for Asian and BIPOC Canadian communities” and offer support through “community care events for those wrestling with the emotional, spiritual and psychological impact of these racist incidents.”

Those seeking counselling resources are invited to contact a list of counselling collaborators and use free faith-based resources available through Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.

The leaders end the letter with a prayer “that we will model a more redemptive society based on Jesus’ love and example as we seek to follow his teachings in Scripture.”

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May 30, 2021   

An Open Letter concerning racism in our Province of British Columbia

From the undersigned Christian Leaders of British Columbia in response to racism in all its forms, especially as directed against Asian, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in our Canadian communities. 

We grieve and mourn the continued racism against all people. Specifically, we are saddened by the rise in verbal and physical attacks on Asian Canadians. We acknowledge that recent incidents in Canada and the United States have occurred within a growing context of anti-Asian racism and violence.

In honour of Asian Heritage Month and the upcoming centenary of Canada’s Exclusion Act (1923), we condemn these activities in Canada and around the world.

Anti-Asian racist incidents have grown at unprecedented rates since 2020. Asian  Heritage Month reminds us of both the contributions made by the Asian communities and of sad historical realities such as the Head Tax, the Vancouver Anti-Asian Riots of 1907, and the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II.  Anti-Asian rhetoric and violence amplified by COVID-19 also remind us that Asian women and seniors continue to be disproportionately affected by incidents of racism.

We stand with and for Asian and BIPOC Canadian communities. We see and affirm the anger, grief, pain, and fear of Asian-Canadian families. We pledge to support you and will follow up through community care events for those wrestling with the emotional, spiritual and psychological impact of these racist incidents. 

As Christian leaders, we categorically condemn the sin of racism. We acknowledge that racism may take many forms, from overt violence and threats to racial microaggressions, dismissiveness, and omissions. We exhort our community members to consider their own words and deeds, and to endeavour to learn more of our shared history.

We commit ourselves to challenge all forms of racism and discrimination. We must continue to work together to build a just and caring British Columbia for ourselves and for future generations. Now is the time for renewal of our commitment to work to rectify racial and socio-economic inequities.

How can we bring justice and beauty to our cities, province and nation? Statements are not enough. Please consider ways we can encourage, ally, report, and pursue greater vigilance in protecting our communities from racism. Let us look out for the vulnerable as we consider various forms of Bystander Training and Awareness. Consider allyship through your consumer choices by patronizing Asian and BIPOC restaurants and retail establishments.

Anyone seeking counseling resources may wish to contact our counseling collaborators, including those listed on the link, and use or support the free faith-based resources available via Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.

May our Lord continue to lead us to establish greater awareness, compassion and justice with our Asian and BIPOC family so that we may love and serve one another as unto the Lord. We pray that we will model a more redemptive society based on Jesus’ love and example as we seek to follow His teachings in Scripture.

By God’s grace and mercy, 

Rev. Dr. Raymond C. Aldred, Director, Indigenous Studies, Interim Dean, VST
Michael Audain, Chairman, Polygon Homes
Thomas Cooper, President, City in Focus Foundation
Dr. June Francis, Associate Professor, Beedie School of Business SFU
Lawrence J. Ho, Senior Fellow, Murdock Charitable Trust
Hon. Yonah Martin, Senator

 DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS      

              

J. Michael Miller, CSB (Archbishop)        Archdiocese of Vancouver, Roman Catholic Church

Paul Chu (Rev.)                                           Archdiocese of Vancouver          

Greg Mohr                                                  BC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada           

Kathy Martin (Rev.)                                    BC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada           

Bernard Mukwavi (Rev. Dr.)                      British Columbia Baptist Conference        

Rob Ogilvie (Rev.)                                       Canadian Baptists of Western Canada 

Errol Rempel                                               Canadian Pacific District, The Alliance Canada 

John Stephens (The Right Rev.)                Diocese of New Westminster     

Raymond Schultz                                        Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada 

Garry Janzen                                                Mennonite Church British Columbia           

Jeremy Bell (Rev.)                                        North American Baptist Fellowship              

Blair Odney                                                  Pacific Mountain Region, United Church of Canada           

Treena Duncan                                            Pacific Mountain Region, United Church of Canada           

Ken Russell (Rev.)                                        Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, British Columbia & Yukon District 

Gary Gordon (Bishop)                                Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria              

Gregory Bittman (Bishop)                          Roman Catholic Diocese of Nelson  

Hamish Buntain                                           Westcoast Baptist Association   

Ray Harms-Wiebe                                       Willingdon Church          

              

NON-PROFIT EXECUTIVES            

              

Herman Kwee                                              Alabaster Homes            

Marc Kinna                                                   Baptist Housing

Lindsay Bisschop                                         City in Focus Foundation             

Tom Cooper                                                 City of Focus Foundation             

Tim Dickau (Rev. Dr.)                                   CityGate Vancouver       

Kim Savage                                                   HOPE International Development Agency 

Brad Kinnie                                                   Journey Home Community Association        

Denise Haskett                                             L’Arche Vancouver         

John Hall                                                       Mission Central

Matthew Smedley                                       Mission Possible              

Lee-Anne Michayluk                                    More Than a Roof Mennonite Housing Society 

Kaitlin Williams                                            Pacific Theatre  

Mark Spelliscy                                              Providence Health Care Society  

Brian McConaghy                                        Ratanak International    

Lt. Colonel Jamie Braund                           Salvation Army, Divisional Headquarters, BC Division           

Krista-Dawn Kimsey                                     Servant Partners Canada             

Derek Scott                                                   Signal Hill           

Mike Musgrove                                            Surrey Urban Mission Society     

William B. Mollard                                       Union Gospel Mission    

Geoff Tunnicliffe                                          World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)              

Jenny Konkin                                                Whole Way House Society           

Lisa Hamilton                                               World Vision Canada     

Peter Cheng                                                  Worship Central              

              

MARKETPLACE LEADERS

              

Skidmore Group                                           Allan Skidmore  

Szocs Foundation                                         Andy Szocs         

Angus Reid Institute                                    Angus Reid         

Next Step Advisors Inc.                               David C. Bentall

The McLean Group                                      David G. McLean             

St. Thomas More College &
Providence Living Society BC                     Dianne Doyle     

St. Paul’s Foundation                                  Dick Vollet          

Beedie School of Business, SFU                Dr. June Francis

Primacorp Ventures Inc                              Dr. Peter Chung

Providence Health Care Board                  Eric J. Harris, Q.C             

Providence Health Care                              Fiona Dalton      

Church for Vancouver                                 Flyn Ritchie        

Colours + Shapes                                         Gordie Cochran

Ratanak International                                 Graeme Illman  

RBC                                                                Grant Damery   

Reconcile Business Consulting                  Grayson Bain     

Providence Health Care Society Board    Henry F. Man    

Principal, JK Philanthropy Advisors          Jae Kim

Regent College                                             Jeffrey P. Greenman      

The Jim Pattison Group                              Jim Pattison       

Holborn Group                                             Joo Kim Tiah      

Homeless Advocate, City of Vancouver   Judy Graves       

Sidoo Family Giving                                     Manjy and David Sidoo  

Polygon Homes Ltd.                                     Michael Audain

Corpus Christi and St. Mark’s Colleges    Michael Higgins

Paragon Financial Services Inc.                 Mike Rickaby     

Self Employed                                              Nalini McIntosh

P.M. Bull Company Ltd                                P.M. Bull             

Aquilini Investment Group (AIG)               Paolo Aquilini    

Mogan Daniels Slager LLP                          Peter J. Mogan  

Vancouver School of Theology                  Raymond C. Aldred, (Rev. Dr )    

Point Grey Inter-Mennonite Fellowship   Rosie Perera      

UBC                                                                 Santa Ono and Wendy Yip

Digital Hot Sauce Inc.                                  Scot Sustad        

Canadian Parliament                                   Yonah Martin (Hon.)

              

LOCAL PASTORS              

              

Carol J. Dennison                                         BC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada           

Tim Dutcher-Walls                                       BC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada           

Michael Vuorensivu                                    Cedar Grove Baptist Church        

Steve Swaddling                                           Cedar Grove Church       

Martin To                                                      Chinatown Peace Church             

Kelli Sexton                                                   Christ Community Church Nanaimo              

Willem Delleman                                         Christ Community Church, Victoria              

Dena Nicolai                                                 Christian Reformed Churches of BC              

Jason Charles                                               City Collective Church    

Thomas Keeley                                             Dunbar Lutheran Church and
 Benediction Lutheran Church     

Benedicte Hansen                                       Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada 

H. Paul Schmidt                                            Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada 

David Lefsrud                                               Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada 

Trevor Vanderveen                                     First Christian Reformed Church (Vancouver)      

Rebekah Swanson                                       First Lutheran Church    

Abe Chan                                                      Fraser Lands Church       

Xavier Law                                                    Fraser Lands Church       

Eric Krushel                                                   Good Shepherd Lutheran Church              

Nathan Fong                                                 Grace Lutheran Church  

Andrew Perrett                                            Granville Chapel              

Vida Jaugelis                                                 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church         

Brad Sumner                                                Jericho Ridge Community Church              

Graham K. Brownmiller                              Jubilee United Church    

Dorothy Chu                                                 King of Life Lutheran Church       

Audrey Sheu                                                 Living Stones Chinese Mennonite Church 

Gerald Neufeld                                             Mennonite Japanese Christian Fellowship         

Peter Hanson                                               Mount Olive Lutheran Church    

Johannes Schouten                                     Nelson Avenue Community Church              

Michelle Slater                                             Oak Bay United Church  

Adam Back                                                    Peace Church on 52nd   

Winston Pratt                                               Peace Mennonite Church            

Scott Dickie                                                   Peace Portal Alliance Church      

Bruce McAndless                                         Davis Peninsula United Church   

Samuel Wong                                               Richmond Peace Chinese Mennonite Church         

Victor Kim                                                     Richmond Presbyterian Church  

Kristen Steele                                               Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church

Shannon Tennant                                        Shiloh-5th Avenue United Church              

Aneeta Saroop                                             Spirit of Life Lutheran Church     

Karen Millard                                               Squamish United Church             

Dan Chambers                                             St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church 

Elizabeth Ruder                                            St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church & VST    

Ken Shigematsu                                           Tenth Church    

Darcy Reimer                                                The River Church Squamish        

Kenda Reimer                                               The River Church Squamish        

Albert Y.S. Chu                                             The Tapestry Church      

Jesse Pals                                                      The Tapestry Marpole   

Samuel Lee                                                   The Tapestry Mundy Park            

Michael Yang                                                The Tapestry Nights        

Jason Ballard                                                The Way Church Vancouver        

Brenda Nestegaard Paul                             Trinity Anglican & Lutheran Church, Port Alberni

Matthew Menzel                                         Westside Church             

Giulio Lorefice Gabeli                                  Westwood Community Church  

Michael N. Hsu                                             Grace Vancouver Church             

Lyle McKenzie                                              Lutheran Church of the Cross, Victoria 

Tim Kuepfer                                                  Chinatown Peace Church             

Diana S. Edis                                                 St. Paul’s Lutheran, Prince Rupert              

Joy Banks                                                      Grandview Church          

Kenneth Vander Horst                                Christian Reformed Church of North America