JCRC and MCC Welcome President Biden’s Recognition of Armenian Genocide
April 27, 2021
Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), and the Most Reverend Bernard Hebda, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis and president of the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC), issued the following statement:
The JCRC and MCC welcome President Joe Biden’s historic recognition of the Armenian genocide. This recognition represents the culmination of generations of advocacy by Armenian Americans to accurately recognize and remember this genocide.
“Six years ago, we joined with our friends at St. Sahag Armenian Church to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the genocide,” Hunegs said. “There, I stated ‘we must call it what it was, and is: A GENOCIDE.’
According to Archbishop Hebda, President Biden’s proclamation represents an important moment in the path of truth and reconciliation to which all civilized nations are called. He highlighted the words of Pope Francis, who stated that the Armenian Genocide is “the first genocide of the 20th century.” We must stand arm and arm with the Armenian people – and their remarkable contributions to civilization – past, present, and future.
“Today, we embrace our friends in the Armenian community and echo the words of St. Sahag’s Father Tadeos Barseghyan:
I light this candle today and pray not only to the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide to watch over us, but I also pray for the souls of all American Armenians who lived, fought, championed hoping to see this day when the President of their country recognizes the suffering and pain of their ancestors rightfully calling it Genocide. May their souls be in peace now.
As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, the JCRC fights antisemitism and prejudice, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.
###
As the consensus public affairs voice of the Jewish community, JCRC builds relationships to fight antisemitism and bigotry; educates about Judaism, Israel, antisemitism, and the Holocaust; advocates for Jewish values and priorities; and safeguards our community.