The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, issued a statement to mark National Holocaust Day on 27 January.

"On the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we confront again not simply the darkness of those years but the darkness that can always take hold of the human spirit. One of the lessons we still struggle to learn and a lesson that serves for old and young alike, is how frail our commitment can be to what we profess: that God calls us in the light of his love to honour and respect all of humanity as made in his image.

"Holocaust Memorial Day should make us think hard; about evil, about hatred and about ourselves. We should take time today to remember all of the victims of hatred and to reflect on the courage, dedication and commitment that needs to be found in each one of us to prevent such darkness taking hold amongst us."