In a deeply moving gesture of remembrance and solidarity, we visited the historic Roman Ghetto in the Rione Sant’Angelo district of Rome. Accompanied by Father Eugene Harkness Harkness, Knight of the Order and Abdul-Kayum Arain, a close friend of the Order, the delegation paid our respects to the Jewish victims of centuries-old persecution and the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
The Roman Ghetto, established in 1555, confined the Jewish community to a small area near the River Tiber and the Theatre of Marcellus, where they lived in appalling conditions under restrictive laws. During World War II, under Mussolini’s regime, the Jewish residents faced even greater horrors as Nazi forces arrested, deported, and executed many of them in concentration camps.
As the delegation walked through the neighbourhood, they stopped at the poignant commemoration blocks embedded in the streets outside the former homes of Jewish families. These "Stolpersteine" (stumbling stones) bear the names of victims, the dates they were arrested, deported, and murdered, serving as haunting reminders of the past. Standing before these memorials, the members of the Order offered prayers for peace and pledged to ensure such tragedies are neither forgotten nor repeated.
Grand Prior Richard Brown emphasized the importance of the visit, stating, “We stand here today not just to remember, but to commit ourselves to vigilance. We must never allow such hatred and inhumanity to occur again in our name or on our watch. This tragedy is a shared pain, and we honour the memory of those who suffered with unwavering resolve.”
Father Eugene Harkness Harkness offered prayers for healing and unity, while Abdul-Kayum Arain, representing interfaith friendship, underscored the collective responsibility to combat hatred. “Their suffering is also our suffering,” he said. “Together, we must ensure that such horrors never happen again.”
The Order shared this message of solidarity and remembrance with the Jewish community in Cambridge upon their return. The visit to the Roman Ghetto served as a solemn reminder of humanity's capacity for both cruelty and compassion, inspiring the Order to continue their mission of fostering peace and understanding across all faiths and communities.
The delegation also visited nearby synagogues and engaged with members of the local Jewish community. In heartfelt exchanges, they expressed their shared grief and solidarity. The Jewish community welcomed the Order’s support, affirming the necessity of unity in confronting prejudice and injustice. Drawing inspiration from the words of Pope St. John Paul II, the Order extended a symbolic embrace, saying, “When you see people of other faiths, give them a hug from me.”
Through this visit, the Order of St. George reaffirmed their commitment to preserving historical memory, promoting unity, and standing against injustice, ensuring that the lessons of the past guide a more compassionate future.