The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930-1965:

by Michael Phayer

"Phayer offers exactly what was needed. . . . A fair and even-tempered account of a volatile subject." ―Kirkus Reviews

"An important addition to the literature of the Holocaust." ―Publishers Weekly

"Very valuable . . . a fine and judicious book." ―István Deák, The New York Review of Books

"Phayer has written a singularly important book on the role of the Catholic Church in both the Holocaust and its aftermath, up to and including Vatican II. Diligently researched and documented, judicious in its conclusions, comprehensive in its scope, compassionate and humane in its outlook, this book is an indispensable resource." ―Richard L. Rubenstein

"Phayer's study of [the Catholic Church] as an actor in the tumultuous history of the [20th century] will serve as a model for other historians." ―Donald J. Dietrich, Boston College

Phayer's book, particularly strong on German source material, is at pains to list Pius's strong points his piety, his loathing of Hitler, the instances of personal warmth, the occasions when he criticized Nazism. Phayer examines not only Pius's actions but those of other leading Catholics, and his study extends beyond the end of World War II to follow the evolution of official Catholic thinking during the rebuilding of Germany, the cold war, and the gradual theological reforms that led to Vatican II. This enables Phayer to show how the church completely reversed its position relative to the Jews, but it also gives him a more thorough reading of Pius XII's overall record. It is a damning and convincing verdict that emerges." ―Commonweal

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Reference, Holocaust

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phayer argues that the general German Catholic population and lower-level religious leaders didn't act more firmly in opposition to Nazism because they weren't told to. He places the blame squarely on the RCC hierarchy and especially Pope Pius for not speaking out, for choosing a diplomatic response to a moral outrage.

Pius XI had been vocal in his opposition to the Nazis (especially their attempts to coopt Catholic social organizations) and in his decrial of racism. He encouraged Catholics to protest racial legislation. However, he died in 1939 and his successor Pius XII quickly changed positions on these subjects (and in fact suppressed Pius XI's about-to-be-published anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-nationalist text, Humani generis unitas).

Pius XII's primary fear was the spread of Communism and he wanted to maintain civil relations with the anti-Communist Germans.

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Surprisingly, my read of the early chapters shows a sloppy treatment of history. Several broad conclusions are offered without support. I find this book not reliable as a source even where I agree with the conclusions expressed. I stopped reading, so I have no comments on the later chapters.

[Kristen Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! There was a lot of information in this book yet the author wrote it in a way that was interesting and easy to understand. He helps you understand why certain church leaders did, or did not, help during the Holocaust. He doesn't fully criticize the Catholic Church like you would think from the cover but gives you the good along with the bad.

[Jezier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polecam. Bardzo dobra lektura - autor nie jest papieżożercą, nie próbuje też wybielać Kościoła katolickiego. Przedstawia fakty i ich własną interpretację.

[Aaron Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept feeling as I read this the author was at least sympathizing if not trying to find a way to defend the Catholic Church, but with each new document revealed the indictment against Her was damning.

[agnes]

the catholic church could've done more during the holocaust- this true. BUT it did a helluva lot more than other religions & governments.

[micusiowo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesujące.