A NEW SCIENTIFIC PROJECT: 'PRIESTS FOR THE JEWS'
Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik
A new scientific project 'Priests for Jews' documents and verifies what priests did for Jews during the Second World War. The results of these studies are astonishing both for the Catholics and for the Jews.
Over 600 folders of priests were made, which contain testimonies of their help for Jewish people. Over 30 priests from this group were murdered for help (most of them in the diocese of Pin). Moreover, 110 priests who were helping Jews, were also killed during the Second World War, but it is not always known what was the direct reason for the execution. Moreover - in the first phase - it is known about over 500 nuns who risked their life, hiding Jewish children. Sisters of Charity from Warsaw (Dzielna Street) were poured on with petrol for this reason and burnt alive. And how many priests don't we know about?
Summing up, it can be stated that - in spite of repeated prejudices and stereotypes - helping the Jews by Polish priests, monks and nuns, was a universal phenomenon.
(AA)
"Niedziela" 30/2013