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June 11, 2021OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) -- Faith communities and politicians condemned an attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario, that police have labeled a hate crime.
The CCCB Executive Committee in a June 10 statement called for an end to religious violence in Canada and specifically hatred against Jews and Muslims.
Signed by Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg, Manitoba, CCCB president, it said the bishops "adamantly object to all forms and expressions of hatred and they strongly denounce the recent violence seen in Canada against the Jewish People and Muslims, for which there can be no possible justification ever."
The statement came in response to what London police said was the killing June 6 of four members of a Muslim family by a driver. A 9-year-old boy also was seriously injured. London police believe the family was targeted because of their Muslim faith.
The driver of the vehicle has been arrested and faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Auxiliary Bishop John A. Boissonneau of Toronto and Archbishop Paul-André Durocher of Gatineau, Quebec, representing the CCCB's Canadian Rabbinic Caucus Bilateral Dialogue, endorsed the statement.
The bishops noted "a disturbing rise in harmful and violent acts against the Jewish People and Muslims" in recent weeks, including "offensive slurs, prejudice, hostility, and even terror claiming lives."
The bishops also appealed to "the minds and hearts of the Catholic faithful, and all people of goodwill, to denounce antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all similar forms of extremism and violence against fellow human beings of all faith traditions."
The statement included a promise to pray for "an increase in tireless, sincere and constructive dialogue, greater understanding, social harmony, and mutual respect, in order that Canadians from all backgrounds, faith traditions and cultures may live not as strangers or adversaries, but peacefully as brothers and sisters."
In a statement released on social media hours after the incident, the Archdiocese of Toronto lamented that Canadians appear to have been targeted because of their faith.
"We join the Muslim community, London Mayor, Ed Holder, and all those who condemn this heinous act of violence," the archdiocese said June 7 while offering prayers and condolences to the family "targeted for their faith."
Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London pledged that the Catholic Church there will work with the Muslim community to root out hate.
"I am horrified by the hate-motivated killing of an innocent Muslim family in London," Bishop Fabbro said. "I unconditionally condemn acts of hatred and violence. People of all faiths, and all people, should always feel safe, everywhere in our country.
"The Catholic community in London offers our support to our Muslim brothers and sisters, pledging to work together with them to end crimes of hate," the bishop added. "I ask the faithful of the diocese to keep the family of those killed and their community in our prayers, asking God to bring them comfort in this time of grief and to grant the full recovery of the survivor."
A London police official told a news conference June 7 that "there is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate." Police arrested a 20-year-old who is alleged to have plowed a vehicle into the family walking in their neighborhood the evening of June 6.
Afterward, political leaders in the Canadian House of Commons echoed Bishop Fabbro when they condemned what London police alleged was a premeditated hate crime.
"We cannot allow any form of hate to take root," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons June 8. "We must confront the ugly face of hatred.
"We know we need to look truth in the face, this hatred does exist in our country," he said of those who dismiss the idea that racism continues to affect many Canadians of different races and faiths.
Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole called the killings a "brutal act of terror" in the House of Commons. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who is Sikh and wears a turban, said that people such as himself know what looking different or praying differently can mean in Canada.
"Will I be attacked today just because of the way I look?" Singh asked.
"This is our Canada, we can't deny it," he said of the racism that many Canadians face.
