Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller and the Canadian bishops both released statements concerning the recent violence in Israel, with Archbishop Miller “unequivocally” condemning Saturday’s attack by Hamas and the bishops calling for prayers for peace and a de-escalation of violence.
In a message to Vancouver’s Jewish community on Monday, Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller “unequivocally condemned” last Saturday’s attack on Israel, calling it an offence against moral and international law.
Commenting from Rome where he is attending the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, the Archbishop said Monday the news about “the Hamas incursion into Israel is devastating.”
The nature of the attack and the taking of women and children as hostages was “a serious violation not only of international law but, even more importantly, of the moral law that is written in the conscience of every human being,” he said.
“Such an attack must be unequivocally condemned, and our voices raised to the LORD that respect for human life, created in His image, will prevail among all people of good will. I join my prayers to those of the Jewish community who are mourning the deceased.”
On Thursday, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops President Bishop William T. McGrattan called for a de-escalation of violence, urging leaders to seek lasting peace amid “reports of growing number of wounded or dead, including innocent civilians.”
“I invite the Catholic faithful in Canada to join other people of good will, here and around the world, in imploring God to move the hearts of those leaders engaged in the present conflict to de-escalate the acts of terrorism, cease violence and war, and resume constructive efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and concord,” Bishop McGrattan said.
He asked for prayers for “all the families and individuals suffering because of this most recent outbreak of violence,. As Christians we are compelled by the teachings and example of Jesus to pray for peace throughout the world. In a fraternal spirit of solidarity with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim brothers and sisters, let us join together in recalling God’s desire for peace in the land that Jesus Christ called home.”
See the full statement below.
In a reply to Archbishop Miller’s message, Rabbi Dan Moskovitz of Temple Shalom in Vancouver thanked the Archbishop for his words and prayer and said he would share them with his colleagues and community.
“I am faithful enough to know that if we all saw and respected the other as being created in the image of G-d there would be an end to war, famine and violence, humanity would flourish,” he said.
That day will not come, Rabbi Moskovitz said, until the necessary work is done “to eradicate evil, hatred and bigotry” from human behaviour.
He closed with prayers for the Archbishop and for “peace and understanding among ALL the inhabitants of the holy land.”
Rabbi Moskovitz said the situation in Israel “is as devastating as it is unprecedented,” and “Each of us has family, friends or colleagues who have been hurt, killed or are missing.”
A Jewish Community Solidarity Gathering took place Tuesday at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver. Deacon Richard Chau, the Archdiocese’s Coordinator of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, attended on behalf of Archbishop Miller.
Statement by Bishop William T. McGrattan, CCCB President, to the Catholic Faithful in Canada on the Recent Escalation of Conflict in the Holy Land
Over these last few days, the world has witnessed a rapid escalation of armed conflict in the Holy Land, with reports of a growing number of wounded or dead, including innocent civilians.
As the Holy Land is immersed in this violence and bloodshed, we remember that Jesus, the Son of God, who lived and walked there as Love Incarnate, through His teaching by word and deed, calls us as brothers and sisters to be always united by the bond of charity.
I invite the Catholic faithful in Canada to join other people of good will, here and around the world, in imploring God to move the hearts of those leaders engaged in the present conflict in order to de-escalate the acts of terrorism, cease violence and war, and resume constructive efforts that are aimed at establishing lasting peace and concord. As we pray for peace, let us remember all the families and individuals suffering because of this most recent outbreak of violence.
As Christians we are compelled by the teachings and example of Jesus to pray for peace throughout the world. In a fraternal spirit of solidarity with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim brothers and sisters, let us join together in recalling God’s desire for peace in the land that Jesus Christ called home.
