Pope Pius XII: A Bystander Or Rescuer During The Holocaust

Whether the Catholic Church was a bystander or rescuer during the Holocaust remains a controversial topic. The Holocaust was a time of desperation, leading to the massacre of 6 million Jews. This act of Horror was led by Germans Nazi Party leader, Adolf Hitler. Evidence suggests that the church, to an extent was a bystander, staying silent, not publicly condemning Hitler’s policies due to fear of retaliation (Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust.2017). However, the undisclosed actions taken by Pope Pius XII contributed to the liberating and rescuing of thousands of Jews. (Rescue-Holocaust Encyclopedia. 2017).

Although Hitler was a Roman Catholic, he rejected Christian beliefs. Hitler believed in constructive Christianity and freedom for every

He rejected pleas for help on the grounds of impartiality while at the same time made statements criticizing injustices in general. He did attempt to help the Jews, but some of his actions made no impact, Pope Pius helped raise the Gestapos ultimatum of 50 kilos of gold from the Jewish community in exchange for “ their safety” but, regrettably this payment did not prevent the roundup of Jews. Although Pope Pius XII didn’t publicly condemn Hitler he did speak out within the church. He protested against Hitler’s actions by issuing a letter in 1927 which was to be read in every catholic church, however there was no impact. (BBC - GCSE Bitesize 2014) In 1935, Pope Pius XII described the Nazis as “miserable plagiarists who dress up old errors with new tinsel.” (Pope Pius XII & the Holocaust", 1998). In 1942, there was speculation that Hitler would seek revenge on the papacy and attack the Vatican due to the Popes Christmas message in 1942 which censured the extermination of the Jews: “Mankind owes that vow to the hundreds of thousands of persons who, without any fault on their part, sometimes only because of their nationality or race, have been consigned to death or to a slow decline.” (Pope Pius XII,

Pope Pius XII knew that if he spoke out against Hitler then, the Nazis could be vindictive, causing violent retaliation aginst prisoners, resulting in more innocent lives to be taken. The political and diplomatic actions were seen as a weakness by Hitler which encouraged him and gave him the opportunity to continue his brutal policies towards Jews. Through his personal intervention hundreds upon thousands of Jews escaped deportation to German death camps. Three thousand Jews were shielded in Castel Gandolfo which was the site of the Popes summer residence which included private homes, hospitals and nursing institutions (10 People Who Saved Jews During World War Two. 2008). Under the Popes influence, 860 000 Jews were saved through Papal (Catholic) relief programs which was more than any organization, group or individual.

Therefore, the church, to an extent can be considered to have been a bystander during the holocaust however it was through Pope Pius XII integration of political pressure, careful but sustained reproval while maintaining an essential impartiality in war-torn Europe, as well as direct action through himself and the local church where possible hundreds of thousands of Jewish lives were