Archbishop Justin Welby has denounced “the profound evil of antisemitism” as faith leaders marked the mark the 80th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference. Addressing a symposium in Berlin in a video message, the Archbishop said: “For centuries, antisemitism has been like a volcano in European culture, from time to time erupting with absolute destruction, but always emitting noxious and terrible gases which have poisoned the atmosphere, both in Europe and around the world.”He warned: “We must constantly be vigilant against the first signs of an eruption coming. We can never ever tolerate any antisemitism. There is no acceptable level of antisemitism.”Attended by 15 faith leaders, the symposium was organised by the European Coalition for Israel (ECI) and was entitled “The Contemporary Church and Antisemitism — what must we do?”It explored how the Christian tradition is still struggling to relate to the Jewish faith with respect and dignity.The event marked the anniversary of the 1942 Wannsee Conference, in which Nazi leaders planned the mass murder of Jews in the final years of the Holocaust.Tomas Sandell, founding director of the ECI, said the Holocaust could not have happened “without… deeply rooted antisemitic sentiments in the German culture at the time.”Delegates to the symposium included the secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance, Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, and the chair of the Pentecostal Religious Liberty Commission, Dr Arto Hamalainen, representing millions of Christian believers worldwide.
FAITH leaders have gathered to light candles and remember all the victims of genocide ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day.Six hundred candles were lit during the event at York Minster’s Chapter House, forming the Star of David to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions killed in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.And we are asked to light a candle tonight at 8pm and stand by our candles in memory of those who have died in acts of genocide.<div id="subscription-content">The Minster event began with a Choral Evening service attended by representatives from York’s Jewish and other faith communities.The Reverend Canon Maggie McLean, York Minster’s Canon Missioner, said: “The international theme for the 2022 commemoration is ‘One Day’ which encourages people to come together to remember and learn about the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.”She added: “This is in the hope that in the future, there may be ‘One Day’ with no genocide. We learn more about the past, we empathise with others today, and we take action for a better future.”The event included a procession with readings, music, poetry, prayers and periods of silence for quiet reflection.The commemoration is part of a week-long programme of events taking place across the city of York to mark international Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on January 27 each year.The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the largest Nazi death camp, in 1945.</div>
Happy feast of the Conversion of Paul! Based on Caravaggio’s artistic portrayal of this remarkable encounter with Jesus, I may bear some physical resemblance to the one after whom I was named: ‘a man of small stature, with a bald head and crooked legs’. Sadly, in terms of character, I fear that I possess more of Paul’s weaknesses than his strengths. But what a great role model for an archdeacon: travelling from place to place, encouraging the people of God, and walking alongside them in their trials. Paul doesn’t mention a pandemic, but it’s a pretty impressive list of challenges that he faces: near death, violence, persecution, imprisonment, shipwreck, starvation, weather, wayward churches (2 Cor 11). This year, as we reflect upon Paul’s life and conversion, I give particular thanks for his endurance, perseverance and witness to the God whose grace is sufficient for us and whose power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). As we face the trials of our own day, let us pray for that same power in our lives and for the faith, hope and love which it generates.
