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Diocese of Harrisburg Condemns Auschwitz Gate Image on Catholic School Halloween Float

Church leaders pledge education with Jewish partners after condemning the float’s use of Holocaust symbolism.

Overview

  • Photos from Thursday’s Hanover Halloween Parade show a St. Joseph Catholic School float featuring a replica of the Auschwitz entrance sign reading “Arbeit Macht Frei.”
  • Bishop Timothy C. Senior apologized on Friday, saying he was shocked and appalled and calling the display profoundly offensive and unacceptable.
  • He stated the originally approved float design did not include Holocaust imagery.
  • The diocese plans to review approval procedures and engage the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition and the Anti-Defamation League for education and outreach.
  • St. Joseph Catholic School has not responded to media inquiries as local social media criticism intensifies.