[corbie]

I had the honor of helping to write a book on Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish "Angel of Rescue." During the process, I had access to historical and Vatican files that detailed that activities of many "common" citizens, who without reward or recognition, dared to confront the Nazi war machine in order to save lives.

The "greatest generation" is no sobriquet, nor is the designation reserved for Americans. Across Europe and Asia, people embodied their values and beliefs through outstanding acts of resistance that saved lives and challenged the power structure.

I weep at the realization that that kind of moral fiber seems extinct in the face of the Islamofascists.

Stolat, Ms. Sendler (you're almost there!). Please pray for us. If "you have a bad conscience for doing so little," I'm in despair for doing so little.

Thank you again for this humbling post.

[GMMAC]

Sadly, narrow politics seem to continue to forestall Rome's appropriate Canonization of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky as well as his long overdue proper recognition by Israel as a self-evidently Righteous Gentile. (see: Righteous indignation)
Aside from being well deserved, for the Vatican it would only strengthen ties with Eastern Rite Churches while, for Israel, it's hard to imagine any move which would more extend a hand of friendship to both Ukraine as well as to the worldwide Ukrainian diaspora.

Urging all to pray for both.

[SuziQ]

I had access to historical and Vatican files that detailed that activities of many "common" citizens, who without reward or recognition, dared to confront the Nazi war machine in order to save lives.

One of my husband's Major professors in his PhD program was saved like this. When he was 5, just as the Germans were beginning to restrict the movements of the Jews in Poland, his mother brought him to a convent and asked the nuns to watch over him until she could come back to get him. Then she, and her husband were able to escape. I guess it would have been harder, with a child, so that's why they left him.

After the war, they returned to get him and they emigrated to Israel. He was a visiting professor when he was at Florida State, and sadly, because there was some problem with his work visa, he couldn't just come and go. If he'd left the country, he may not have been allowed back in, so he was not even able to go home when his Mother died.