Posted on 02/03/2015 7:14:02 AM PST by marshmallow
2,579 Catholic priests, seminarians, and religious were deported from across Europe to the Dachau concentration camp, according to a newly published French book.
1,034 of them, 868 of whom were Polish, died there.
According to Guillaume Zeller’s La Baraque des prêtres, Dachau, 1938-1945, the priests included German priests who spoke out against euthanasia, Polish priests who were considered part of Poland’s elite, French priests who resisted the Nazis, and a French bishop who aided the Jews.
“The Dachau camp remains the largest cemetery of Catholic priests in the world,” said Zeller in an interview with Le Figaro. They “maintained their humanity” throughout their imprisonment as they celebrated the sacraments, aided the sick, and carried on clandestine ordinations and theological training.
141 Orthodox and Protestant clergymen were also imprisoned at Dachau.
Interesting, I didn’t know this.
Michael Savage was talking about this the other day - the huge number of priests and devote Catholics who died in the camps.
....141 Orthodox and Protestant clergymen were also imprisoned at Dachau.
Thanks for the afterthought, Catholic Culture.
BOOKMARK
After Jews, Catholics were the main group exterminated by the Germans at that time.
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.~Pastor Martin Niemöller
Community and individuality are not opposites. People cannot survive on their own. When the odds are stacked against you, you must rally with the oppressed and hated.
When a growing oppressive regime is taking hold, you must act, otherwise you will soon face your enemy alone and hopeless.
Strength of community is a strength as much as individualism, as long you are willing to face weaknesses in your own community. Ignoring slacking values will mean that you will be rallied against by those you oppress.
Niemöller affirms we must rally against unhealthy organized regimes. We must also stay vigilant with those that appear to be good natured, as all organisation attracts corruption. Niemöller also warns us that if it is you who are corrupt, then you will face a stronger combined force of foe!
~Vexen Crabtree
I was in the Army stationed in Germany in 1960.
I visited the camp then.
It was a sobering experience.
Can you please give the name of each person in your pictures, I assume they were in the camp, so they deserve to be recognized by name. I’m sure these were of your families and I honor them.
Mine is Bonhoeffer.
If you click on his picture you will be taken to his story on Wiki.
I wonder if some ‘man-in-the-street’ camera crew asked our dear beloved high-schoolers of Anytown, USA about what they know about Dachau, what would be the results of their question.
I guess I was fortunate, for having a ‘European History’ teacher who was a veteran of Chateau-Thierry; a ‘Business 101’ teacher who came off the boat at Utah Beach; and an ‘Economics’ teacher/head of the History Dept., who was an interrogater at Nurenburg.
“Thanks for the afterthought, Catholic Culture.”
Want some cheese with that whine?
Mine is Betsie ten Boom, sister of Corrie ten Boom. Both were sent to the camp at Ravensbrück. Corrie survived, Betsie did not.
Mine Too.
Likewise when I visited Auscwhitz and Birchenau on a pilgrimage.
Glass always half empty.
Firstly, it is a Catholic website so forgive them for focusing on Catholic priests.
Secondly, the numbers sort of demand it.... 2,519/141 is a factor of almost 20.
Would you prefer the article to lead with the statement that 141 Orthodox and Protestant clergymen were imprisoned in Dachau....and oh.....by the way....2,500 Catholic priests were also imprisoned?
She wasn't a clergyman and Ravensbrück isn't Dachau but that's OK.....keep waving the flag.
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