Archbishop Miller joins in global campaign remembering Holocaust

Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller offered his support to Vancouver’s Jewish community on International Holocaust Remembrance Day by posting a photograph of himself holding a sign reading “We Remember.”

The Archbishop was one of many prominent figures in B.C. to honour the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. Others who joined the We Remember campaign included Premier David Eby and politicians from all political levels.

The We Remember campaign was organized by the World Jewish Congress and locally by Canada’s Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Individuals were encouraged to photograph themselves holding a We Remember card and posting it on social media.

Holocaust Remembrance Day took place just three months after the worst atrocity in Israel’s modern-day history. The United Nations marked the day by inviting survivors of what is also known as the Shoah. This is the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland during World War II.

Holocaust Remembrance Day was chosen to reflect on one of humanity’s darkest chapters, said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“Every year on this day – the day of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – we honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. We come together in solidarity and sorrow to pay tribute to the six million Jewish children, women, and men murdered in the Holocaust. We grieve for the Roma and Sinti. We mourn the millions of others tortured, starved, and killed by the Nazis and their collaborators,” he said. 

“And today it is more important than ever, especially in the wake of the horrific 7 October Hamas attacks that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Israelis and others, injured many more, and resulted in the brutal seizing of hostages. Hostages that must be immediately and unconditionally released,” he said, prompting applause and shouts of “Bravo!”

He also expressed concerns about rising antisemitism, a view shared by Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who on Saturday called all citizens to defend the nation’s democracy and fight hatred against Jews. A report that right-wing extremists recently met to discuss the deportation of millions of immigrants, including some with German citizenship, also triggered massive demonstrations across Germany.

Flags flew at half mast in Germany to remember the six million Jews and others killed in the Holocaust. 

Catholic News Agency with B.C. Catholic files.