La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

Church

Holocaust

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

Some say the Catholic Church didn’t help Jewish people escape Nazi persecution during World War II. Is this true?

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

The truth is that the Church and individual Catholics took great risks to rescue thousands of Jews from the Nazis. Pope Pius XII is personally credited with saving more than 800,000 Jews.

… the Catholic Church saved more Jewish lives during the war than all other churches, religious institutions and rescue organizations put together … no pope in history has been thanked more heartily by Jews.”

Pinchas Lapide, Israeli Historian and Diplomat

The entire world, including Israel, lavishly praised Pope Pius XII and the Church for decades after World War II. Those who claim the Church didn’t do enough to help the Jewish people ignore the facts of history.

Other References: Rom 9:4-5; CCC 839-840, 1822, 1826, 1844

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catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.