Pastors welcome the movement at a vision meeting in Bucharest
In the Romanian capital, a team led by Jobst and Charlotte Bittner presented the vision of the March of Life and the message of the “Veil of Silence” to around 20 pastors and leaders.
The focus was first on Germany’s responsibility for the Holocaust and the Second World War. Descendants of German Nazi perpetrators who had served in Romania publicly asked forgiveness for the deeds of their grandfathers. Their personal words deeply moved everyone present.
Romania’s own responsibility for the Holocaust was then addressed just as openly. Today there are numerous remembrance initiatives, including at state level. Yet it has still not entered the country’s collective memory that Romania itself, under Marshal Ion Antonescu, was responsible for the murder of at least 280,000 Jews. Apart from Germany, no other country in Europe bears such great guilt for the attempt to wipe out Jewish life during the Holocaust.
Antisemitism is spreading in Romania today as well, on social media, in churches and congregations, and throughout society. The pastors present were therefore unanimous: “We need the March of Life and the message of the Veil of Silence in Romania, and we warmly welcome them.”
Initial planning for two events also began at the vision meeting. A national Veil of Silence seminar is expected to take place in Bucharest in March 2027, and a March of Life is planned in the capital for June 2027.
