NAZI PERSECUTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 77, 13 January 1936, Page 8

NAZI PERSECUTION

THE POSITION OF CATHOLICS, AN INTERESTING LETTER. A Catholic statement of the position regarding the persecution by Nazis in Germany is contained in a recent issue of tbe “Tablet,” published in London.' The article is republished as follows: The Persecution.—The following communication is part of a letter received from an eminent German Catholic layman. For obvious reasons we suppress his name. It was written in reply to an inquiry from a “Tablet” reader about the trial and subsequent condemnation of a Sister Superior of a nursing home in Germany. She was founds guilty of “trafficking in foreign exchange,” in other words of having sent money out of Germany. A heavy fine was imposed, as well as a sentence of several months in prison. Many readers. Catholic and non-Catholic, will be interested in this layman’s explanation of the many trials taking place in Germany, against bishops, priests and hqads of Catholic institutions and hospitals. Here is the extract:—< Ten years or so ago the unemployment figures in Germany had readied enormous proportions. Discontent was rife. The Government was in a quandary as to what measures could be taken in order to reduce the total. Money was needed, sorely needed. None was available for reducing unemployment. An intensive campaign was started. Persuasive circulars were sent to all heads of industries, great and small, landowners mayors of towns and villages, urging them to raise funds locally, and find work for their unemployed. They responded, and the figuies dropped somewhat, but were still inordinately high. Then the Catholic hierarchy, Superiors of religious houses, colleges, schools and diocesan treasurers were approached, and the suggestion made to them that they should ask their foreign brethren and tlieir respective mother-houses in other lands for loans to enable them to help the unemployed by giving work in the form of building churches and schools, and in enlarging and improving property, diocesan charities and institutions.

This suggestion from the Government was loyally and wholeheartedly followed. Many and generous were the loans received from Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, England and the United States. Not all the heads of the congregations approached had, at the time, money to spare. Not wishing to refuse their German confreres, they borrowed from hanks, private families, old friends and neighbours. Some made loans without asking interest. The capital sum only was to be returned at the- convenience of the German borrowers. Others asked a modest sum as quarterly interest. Honesty and honour are at stake; and it is the honest and honourable return of this money lent, that Germany will not allow. Those individuals who have repaid (obeying the dictates of their conscience), or have tried to do so, have been prosecuted in the courts; no explanation or extenuating circumstances being admitted. The delinquent is heavily fined and imprisoned —with no appeal! There are over 160 priests and nuns in prison; and the trial of the Bishop of Meissen, with its distressing scenes is causing the greatest sorrow and anxiety throughout Catholic Germany. Nor is all the dishonesty of the Nazi oppressors quite laid bare until one mentions the shameful duplicity enacted by the Government in protecting their financial expert—and tool—i.e., one “Hofius” by name (“Judas” would be more appropriate), who was director of the Uniyersum Bank at Munster, in Westphalia, and who was particularly recommended by the Government to the congregations as the most capable agent to effect these foreign loans. This man is safely and comfortably established in Holland. No objection whatever was made when he left Germany, with well-lined pockets and an excellent banking account. He had left behind in the hands of the Government all the papers relating to the ecclesiastic loans.

Having practically broken opposition in the Lutheran Church, and despoiled and exiled many Jervs (.guilty only of their race and faith), the Reich has now 7 turned its attention to the Catholic Church throughout this most unhappy land. Wo pray incessantly for better days, for the return of our lost freedom. Our women are wonderful, serene and courageous, teaching the catechism to the children —their own and the villagers’—gathered round the hearth. They are guarding the light of faith till it shines still inighter in our steadfast hearts and German homes. During the month of October the Rosary was said each evening in all the surrounding villages. I admit without shame that as many tears fell sometimes as “Hail Marys” were said —our hearts are so full. Life is very difficult, not to say hard, these days, especially in non-Catholic districts. We arc as pariahs—people to beware of outsiders, trouble-seek-ers—because we are Catholics, and won’t compromise when there is question of our faith. All the Htato-owned and, alas! muzzled newspapers cry shame on our bishops and priests, charging them with being disloyal Germans, traitors, cheating the Fatherland and needy workers by sending money out ox the country to enrich foreigners. The accounts published in the Nazi press of the various trials ol religious are unjust and malignant in the extreme. No one wants to hear the true version from us. Me are dangerous people to associate with, enemies of the Reich and of the Kultur Kampf’s ideals, and therefore deserving of persecution, punishment, and, if possible, suppression! Re profundis Clamavi ad te Domine. And you, people in the British Empire, do you cherish and appreciate enough your liberty? Do you thank God for it everv day?